Flashing School Zone and a Crossing Guard at a Signal
At 7:50 a.m. on a Tuesday, you are southbound on a two-lane collector street in a Kansas suburb. A school zone sign shows a 20 mph limit with a plaque reading 'WHEN FLASHING,' and the yellow beacon is flashing. The street has a marked crosswalk at a signalized intersection just beyond the school. The signal is green for your direction. A crossing guard in a fluorescent vest steps into the crosswalk from your right, holding a stop paddle, while a parent and two children wait on the curb. You are 150 feet from the crosswalk at 30 mph; the light has been green for several seconds. The school driveway is on your left, and a line of cars is stopped in the northbound lane.
1. What does the flashing beacon require, and does the green light change it?
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The plaque 'WHEN FLASHING' makes the 20 mph school zone limit effective while the beacon is flashing. The green signal controls the intersection, but it does not cancel the school zone speed limit or the pedestrian right-of-way. At 30 mph and 150 feet out, you need to slow immediately to 20 mph before the crosswalk and school zone. A green light means you may proceed through the intersection if the way is clear; it does not mean you may ignore the school zone limit or a crossing guard.
2. The crossing guard steps into the crosswalk with a stop paddle. What must you do?
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Stop and remain stopped. A crossing guard is authorized to control traffic at the crosswalk, and the stop paddle is a signal to stop. Even with a green light, you must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Stop before the crosswalk rather than creeping into it. Wait until the guard has left the crosswalk, the parent and children are clear, and the guard signals you to proceed. The green light does not give you priority over the guard or the pedestrians.
3. If you were turning right on red at this intersection, how would the guard and crosswalk affect that turn?
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A right turn on red requires a full stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic. With a crossing guard in the crosswalk, you cannot turn until the crosswalk is clear and the guard permits you to proceed. The stop paddle controls your movement even if the signal is red and you would otherwise be allowed to turn after stopping. Keep the crosswalk clear while waiting, and remember that the 20 mph school zone limit still applies in the turn. Do not treat a right-on-red opportunity as a reason to edge into the guard's path.