According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 198 children were killed in school-transportation-related traffic accidents between 2013 and 2022. Of those fatalities, roughly 75 were reported as pedestrian deaths, highlighting the vital importance of school zone safety regulations.

Between school buses, carpools, bikes, walkers and other motorists, there are ample opportunities for major and minor collisions in school zones during busy drop-off and pick-up periods. In Las Vegas, motorists must adhere to strict traffic safety laws when navigating through school zones and school crossing zones in order to protect the safety of children and their guardians. Here is a brief explanation of how school zones work in the Las Vegas area and some tips for mitigating risk in these uniquely vulnerable areas.

What is a school zone?

In Las Vegas, areas adjacent to schools or that provide school access are often designated as school zones or school crossing zones. Typically, areas with high concentrations of drop-off and pick-up traffic are identified as school zones, and other areas where students must cross the street to get to or from school may be designated as school crossing zones.

In these designated areas, motorists are often required to observe reduced speed limits and comply with any directions offered by crossing guards or law enforcement. State law generally sets school zone speed limits at 15 mph and school crossing zones at 25 mph when children are present or the reduced speed limit is in effect as indicated by signs or flashing beacons. Failure to adhere to these limits or other established safety protocols could lead to traffic citations or other enforcement actions.

Why are school zones dangerous?

School zones pose unique dangers due to the relatively high concentrations of pedestrians, bikers and motorists – many of whom are minors. Recent reports estimate that somewhere between 11% and 25% of students in Washoe and Clark Counties walk or bike to school, which means it’s absolutely vital to consider the safety of multiple kinds of commuters.

Students walking or biking to school tend to be less predictable and safety-conscious than their adult counterparts. Young pedestrians may suddenly diverge from a marked crosswalk or a novice cyclist may suddenly swerve in the direction of oncoming traffic. Reduced speed limits and trained crossing guards can help mitigate some of the risks posed by this relative unpredictability and shield children, parents and other motorists from preventable harm.

Do I have to follow reduced speed limits in school zones?

In a word – yes. Reduced speed limits in school zones are established by Nevada law, and drivers must comply with these statutes to avoid potential consequences. Notably, reduced speed limits may not always be in effect in school zones. Some zones specify that drivers must adhere to reduced speed limits during school hours, while children are present or while a particular light is flashing.

Staying alert and carefully reading any posted signage can help you stay compliant and also ensure the safety of those around you. Speeding in a school zone can result in enhanced penalties, particularly if the violation contributes to a collision or injury. In certain misdemeanor cases – often involving repeat offenses – courts may impose additional penalties like community service.

Tips for staying safe in school zones

If you want to avoid traffic citations, misdemeanor charges and other potential harm, it’s always in your best interest to comply with all school-zone-related traffic laws. Here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you come upon a school zone or school crossing zone in the Las Vegas area:

Respect the crossing guard

If you encounter a crossing guard in a school zone, you should comply with any signals or verbal directions they provide. Crossing guards understand how to effectively manage traffic flow in busy crossing zones and take steps to prioritize the safety of the children in their orbit. If posted signage or traffic signals seem to contradict a crossing guard’s orders, it’s always best to defer to the crossing guard’s judgment to avoid safety hazards and potential traffic enforcement actions.

Put the phone down

According to a recent study, distracted drivers are roughly 1.6 times as likely as non-distracted drivers to fatally strike pedestrians in crosswalks. Distracted driving has long been recognized as one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents, so it’s absolutely vital for drivers to keep their eyes on the road when passing through school zones. Texting, operating a GPS or otherwise multitasking in a school zone can put yourself and others in harm’s way and open you up to serious legal, personal and financial consequences.

Use designated crosswalks

If you’re a pedestrian, you should always stick to marked crosswalks – in school zones and everywhere else. While the state legislature decriminalized jaywalking in 2021, it is still considered a civil infraction to cross the road outside of a marked crosswalk in some cases. Additionally, state law requires that pedestrians who choose to walk outside of designated crossing zones must yield the right of way to passing vehicles. Even though the financial penalty for a civil jaywalking infraction is capped at $100 (additional court costs may apply), the potential safety risks associated with crossing outside of a crosswalk hardly outweigh any perceived benefits.

Know the law

The best way to avoid making a potentially costly mistake is to familiarize yourself with the laws that govern school zones and crossing zones. A few rules to keep in mind include:

• Motorists may not drive faster than 15mph in school zones during designated times
• Motorists may not drive faster than 25mph in school crossing zones during designated times
• Motorists may not execute U-turns in school zones or crossing zones during designated times
• Motorists may not pass or overtake other drivers in school zones or school crossing zones during designated times

If you fail to comply with these requirements, you may find yourself stuck with a costly traffic ticket or facing even harsher consequences. For example, if you injure a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist by violating one of these laws, that violation may serve as evidence of negligence in a civil injury claim.

Additional legal considerations

As noted above, the consequences for violating traffic laws in school zones can extend far beyond fines and traffic infractions. If the unthinkable happens and you injure or – God forbid – kill a pedestrian or cyclist in a school zone, you could face much harsher civil and criminal penalties.

Under Nevada law, drivers who cause accidents while speeding in school zones may face misdemeanor charges if the conduct rises to the standard of reckless driving. If convicted, drivers may face steep fines and even jail time, and repeat offenders may additionally be ordered to perform a designated number of community service hours.

On the civil side, drivers who cause collisions by violating traffic laws in school zones may open themselves up to claims of liability. If the injured party can show that their injuries were directly caused by another driver’s failure to comply with school zone laws, they may be entitled to recover damages from the at-fault driver. Victims of these accidents often file claims for damages like medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, property damage and more, leaving negligent drivers on the hook for a costly array of losses.

An experienced car and pedestrian accident lawyer can help victims of school zone accidents pursue claims against the drivers responsible for their injuries. With the right combination of compelling evidence, accurate documentation and reliable legal representation, victims of these tragic accidents can advocate for their needs and safeguard their financial futures with greater confidence.

Final thoughts

Keeping students, parents and other community members safe in school zones is a collaborative effort. State laws, crossing guards and individuals all have a role to play in preventing accidents in school zones and school crossing zones, and everyone needs to pull their weight to keep the system working properly.

The pedestrian accident lawyers at Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers understand the complex interplay between variables in school-transportation-related crashes and know what it takes to help injured victims exercise their rights after a collision. If you or someone you love was injured in a school zone and you suspect a traffic law violation may have contributed to the accident, give us a call today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Our pedestrian accident team can review your case, explain your options and support you throughout the next steps in your decision-making process.