City reduces speed limits in school zones

SANDPOINT — With the start of the 2021-'22 school year just around the corner, the city of Sandpoint has some signs they want to make sure area drivers know about.

Installed by city crews to help kids safe, Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton said the signs announcing a reduced speed limit of 15 mph were installed in school zones in the city.

The 15 mph speed limit is in effect Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. In addition to the signs, crews added paint on the street to alert drivers that school zones are just ahead. 

During the school year, Stapleton said Sandpoint Police will be out conducting emphasis patrols. 

"The reduced speed limit from 20 mph to 15 mph in school zones was one of the key recommendations that came out of a safety audit of the Division Street corridor as part of the city’s multimodal transportation plan," Stapleton said in a press release. "The audit report noted that a 10 mph reduction in speed is the engineering standard for school zones. In future years, the city will also add flashing lights during those times students are most likely to be present."

The reduced speed school zones in Sandpoint can be found on Division for Sandpoint High School and Sandpoint Middle School; Sandpoint Waldorf School, Pine Street; Farmin/Stidwell Elementary, Division/Spruce; Washington Elementary, South Boyer/Erie; and Lake Pend Oreille High School, North Boyer.

Stapleton said current speed limits on the remainder of city streets comply with engineering standards and best practices based upon the street classification and volume. In coming months, the city's staff will be drafting a policy and procedure for City Council consideration that will allow residents to request a speed calming analysis in their neighborhood, she said.

"The result of such analysis could lead to speed tables or other calming features to increase safety," Stapleton added. "Studies show that these features are typically more effective than changing speed limits in neighborhoods."

Other recent multimodal safety improvements also include a new flashing pedestrian crossing at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Westwood Drive. There is significant pedestrian traffic at this location as bicyclists and pedestrians entering or leaving the Westwood neighborhood cross US. 2 to access to the paved trail on the north side of the highway.