School Zone, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Signs
School, pedestrian, and bicycle signs
School signs use a pentagon shape, usually fluorescent yellow-green. A school crossing sign warns that children may cross; a school speed limit sign sets a lower limit, commonly 25 mph when flashing or during posted hours. The flashing beacon, not the sign alone, tells you when the limit is active. A school crossing guard's stop paddle has the force of a stop sign-stop and wait until the guard clears you.
Pedestrian signs include crosswalk warnings, "pedestrian crossing" diamonds, and accessible crossing symbols. At a marked crosswalk, yield to pedestrians; do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, because it may be yielding to someone you cannot see. Bicycle signs include "share the road," bike-lane signs, and "BIKES MAY USE FULL LANE." Bicycles are vehicles: give them room, especially when passing.
Worked example: It is 7:40 a.m. on a school day. A school zone beacon is flashing and the sign reads "SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 25." You slow to 25 before the first sign, not at the crosswalk. At 3:30 p.m. the beacon is off and the plaque says "WHEN FLASHING"; the normal limit applies unless another time plate is posted.
Traps: assuming every school sign has a flasher; treating the school zone as active all day; passing a stopped school bus with red lights (a separate violation); and ignoring a crossing guard because the traffic light is green. Read the plaque-hours and conditions matter.