The speed limit on Parkers Lane going past Walt Whitman Middle School is 35 miles per hour except when school zone signs with flashing lights signify, by activation of those lights, that the speed limit is reduced to 25 miles per hour when the school is opening and closing. Traveling toward the school from where Collingwood Road turns into Parkers Lane, there is a school zone sign just south of the intersection with Hinson Farm Road. When the lights on that sign are flashing, the speed limit is reduced to 25 miles per hour. (See accompanying photo.)
As such, cars turning left onto Parkers Lane from Hinson Farm Road are unable to view the school zone sign because it is south of the intersection. Thus, during times when the sign is flashing, cars turning left from Hinson Farm Road onto Parkers Lane are unaware that the speed limit is reduced and travel past the school at 35 miles per hour.
Several weeks ago, I visited Supervisor Storck's office and brought this issue to the attention of two of his staff members. They assured me that they would promptly notify the Mount Vernon representative on the School Board so that either the sign can be moved to north of the intersection of Parkers Lane and Hinson Farm Road or a second sign can be erected and activated at that location.
As of this week, no action has been taken on this serious problem. In the interest of safety for children attending Walt Whitman Middle School, perhaps this letter will accelerate the process.
H. Jay Spiegel
Mount Vernon