With pedestrian deaths a tragic, recurring problem in Reno, with poor visibility in some areas, distracted drivers and wayward crossings creating conditions for disastrous crashes, there are efforts underway to keep kids safer when approaching their schools.
At the latest City Council meeting our elected representatives accepted a $1 million grant from the Congressional Grants Division (CGD) of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Economic Development to purchase and install flashing beacon systems in school zones across Reno.
The City is now working with the Washoe County School District to identify which schools will receive these flashing beacons, based on needs and cost analysis.
According to information provided during the meeting, 115 school zones out of a total of about 200 lack adequate crossing safety. With the grant, about half of these 115 will now be getting newly installed flashing beacons.
One reader who reached out to Our Town Reno noticed that there are current inconsistencies across Reno in terms of school zone signage and cross walk lighting, with some school zones having signs just indicating "school zone" and "15 mph speed limit.” Others have added words such as "when children present" and "during school hours.” Near some schools there are flashing lights, while others have very little visible indications.
One sign near McQueen high school is obscured by a tree on 7th street near McCarran Boulevard.
Around that location, police can sometimes be seen hiding and ticketing people for continuing into the school zone at 25 mph instead of the required 15 mph, with some motorists not knowing they are in a school zone.
In October, a student suffered minor injuries after being hit by a car near that northwest Reno High school.
There have been multiple incidents of students being hit by vehicles in recent years while on their commutes, including a fatal crash in December at Wedekind Road and Silverado Boulevard.
In 2019, a Wooster High School student was tragically hit by a pickup truck while she was walking to school. That school year, the Washoe County School District reported that 25 students were hit by vehicles, the only year we’ve seen that overall statistic being reported.
The city says it will prioritize locations based on historical accident data, traffic volumes, and input from school officials.
In Reno, crossing safety at school zones is managed by the Public Works Department, specifically under the oversight of the Assistant Director of Public Works, Khalil Wilson, who gave the presentation at the recent city council meeting.
The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining and improving city infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, and public facilities, as well as addressing safety measures such as school zone flashing beacons.