School Crossing Safety Reminders

With the start of the new school year, Effingham Community Unit #40, St. Anthony Grade School, and The City of Effingham are asking for the public's assistance in promoting school crossing safety and enhancing public awareness. 

The three organizations are partnering to employ school crossing guards at West Side School (Fayette Avenue), South Side School (Wabash Avenue), South Side School (Fourth Street), and St. Anthony Grade School (Third Street).  In past years, numerous problems have occurred with motorists running the crossing guards' stop signs, speeding in the posted 20 MPH school crossing zones, using cell phones, and passing stopped vehicles in the right lanes of traffic. 

The biggest on-going problems are motorists speeding in the posted 20 MPH school crossing zones and cell phone usage.  This speed limit is in effect from 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each day that school is in session when children are present and cell phone usage is illegal in school zones.  The city and school officials are concerned about the safety of our children and employees. 

Motorists are reminded of these past problems in hopes of starting the school year on a positive note.  The Effingham Police Department will issue tickets to motorists disregarding school crossing guards' directions, using cell phones, and speeding in the school zones.  There will be additional patrolling efforts by the Police Department in the various school zones during morning and afternoon hours.