Are School Zone Safety Measures Just Speed Hype?

• In Event: Innovative Intervention Strategies: A Focus on Public Order and Property Offenses

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of speed-reducing strategies around the university campus, focusing on when passive measures may outperform costly police presence. Using a quasi-experimental 2x2 factorial design with repeated measures, the research examines driving speed (MPH) for N = 427 vehicles under several conditions: police presence (yes/no), radar signage versus conventional signage, and before versus during a designated school zone. Findings indicate that both police presence and radar signage independently reduce driving speed. For school zones to reduce speeding, both police presence and radar signage are needed. When police are absent, drivers tend to speed up regardless of the sign type, though the reduction in speed for radar signs is more than double that of conventional signage. These results suggest that radar speed signs are a cost-effective alternative to continuous police enforcement. Policy implications highlight that police agencies can enhance public safety while reducing operational costs by strategically deploying radar speed signs in school zones and other high-risk areas.

Authors

• William A. Chernoff, Southeastern Louisiana University

• Kailyn Duncan, Southeastern Louisiana University

• Kody Yesenosky, Southeastern Louisiana University