York County Schools wants the Virginia Department of Transportation to reconsider a recent decision to raise the speed limit near Bruton High School.
The speed limit on Rochambeau Drive is 55 mph, but drops to 25 mph near the entrance to Bruton High School, where lighted signs flash during drop-off and dismissal times. Over winter break in December, VDOT plans to change the signage in the area to reflect a new speed limit of 45 mph in the school zone.
School Board member Mark Medford said that decision is cause for concern at the York School Board’s Monday meeting, and encouraged the division to do whatever it can to lobby VDOT to change its decision.
VDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Gwaltney said the Traffic Engineering Division decided to study the area after observing that the 25 mph limit might be contributing to backups in the area. VDOT traffic engineer Robert Weber conducted a speed study from July 23 to 27, finding most drivers traveled about 56.7 mph in the area near Bruton High School. In his report, Weber found drivers have nearly unlimited sight distance in either direction, with no constrictions.
In the past three years, three crashes have been reported in the area. To be reported and available through the Department of Motor Vehicles, crashes must have resulted in either an injury or fatality or property damage exceeding $1,500. The three reported crashes resulted in six total injuries and no fatalities. “The crash rate for this segment is below the average crash rate for segments of this type,” Weber wrote.
His report also notes the change was discussed with Virginia State Police Lt. Curtis Hardison and York County Sheriff Danny Diggs, who both agreed with the recommendation. Gwaltney added that the school area is clearly marked with School Speed Zone signs, School Zone signs and the word “school” is marked in thermoplastic on the road.
The Code of Virginia requires a maximum speed limit of 25 mph at school crossings, but also gives the VDOT commissioner the authority to increase speed limits on any highway under its jurisdiction. “The primary purpose of a school crossing speed zone is to accommodate young pedestrians walking to and from school,” Weber wrote, adding that Bruton’s rural setting and deep setback makes the likelihood of a collision with a pedestrian “extremely improbable.”
He felt keeping the school zone lower than the rest of the road at 45 mph accommodates turning busses, which are less maneuverable, parents dropping off and picking up their children and young, inexperienced drivers.
It’s the presence of busses, parents and young drivers that concerned Medford. He wants VDOT to conduct another speed study while school is in session, to get a sense of what traffic is like during arrival and dismissal at school. “I find this very unacceptable,” he said. “There may not be many documented accidents, but I don’t want to see one.”
York County Schools Chief Operating Officer Carl James said the division will ask VDOT to consider compromising to changing the speed limit to 35 mph in the school zone, as it is in front of York High School.
“Our concern is that it will be difficult, if you’re coming south or east, to make a left turn because of oncoming traffic, and that it will be difficult to leave the school,” he said. “Considering we have inexperienced drivers, my fear is that they will try to leave when the traffic conditions are not safe to exit onto Rochambeau Drive.”
Gwaltney said VDOT reconsiders its decisions if new engineering data, previously unconsidered, is presented. “We understand the school board’s responsibility to the students; however, studies have shown that an artificially low speed limit such as the previous statutory 25 mph in this area does not lead to increased safety, but in fact, can contribute to crashes,” she said. “In addition to the study, a considerable amount of research was conducted before the recommendations were made.”
