School Zone Safety Tips for Drivers and Pedestrians

Drivers must follow the directions of the adult School Crossing Guard

If directed to stop, you must stop the vehicle not less than 10 feet nor more than 30 feet from the school crossing guard. Your signal to stop is when the crossing guard is at the curb edge with their stop sign raised. Your signal to proceed is when all pedestrians and the crossing guard have exited the street and the crossing guard has lowered their stop sign.

Failure to stop or remain stopped for a crossing guard could result in the issuance of a traffic citation in the amount of $98.80. For information, please watch the following public service announcement

Students, seek the help of your Crossing Guards

Crossing guards are trained to identify appropriate gaps in traffic and safely cross all pedestrians. Their signs are a legal stop sign and must be obeyed by drivers. Remind your children to use the marked crosswalk and to follow the directions of the crossing guard. If you walk with your children, please set a good example for them by also adhering to the directions of the crossing guard.

Your elementary school's crossing guard location(s)

Crossing Guard Locations Map 

If your school does not have a crossing guard, contact the school office or consult their website for information on that schools traffic safety plan for help finding a safe route to school. 

Slow Down

Observe the speed limits on all roadways, and especially     when  in school zones. School zone  speed limits in Madison are 15  or 20 mph, depending on the  road. Slow down to the school  zone speed limit when passing  a school when children are  going to or from school or are playing within the sidewalk area around the school, or when passing an intersection staffed by an adult crossing guard. Reduced school zone speed limits allow more time for drivers to react, shorten vehicle stopping distances, and reduce the force involved in the event of a crash, reducing injury severity, and vastly increasing survival rates.

Failure to comply with the posted school zone speed limits could result in the issuance of a traffic citation in the amount of $111.40-$550.00

Don't drive distracted!

Put down the phone. Driving and mobile phones don't mix. Not only can talking on the phone or texting in an active school zone earn you a hefty fine — it can be deadly. Children may not pay attention as they cross a street, so it's crucial that drivers are always alert.

Park only in areas where it is legal

Please observe and adhere to the posted parking signs.  Congestion in front of and around the school reduces visibility and increases driver distractions.

• Parking means exiting the vehicle and leaving it unattended for any length of time.
• No Stopping Standing or Parking means exactly that. Do not stop, drop off, pick up or park in that area.

Do not stop on, (or block) a painted crosswalk when dropping your children off at school. You may not park closer than 15 feet of a crosswalk, and you may not block a private driveway when unloading or loading passengers. Please do not park in a bus zone. More parking information can be found on the City of Madison Parking Division website.

Failure to adhere to posted parking signage may result in a $45.00 ticket.

Helpful Tip: To help alleviate traffic congestion around schools, consider dropping your children off a block or two from school. Have them walk or walk with them. This is a minimal investment in time, encourages active transportation, and is a chance to teach your children safe crossing techniques.

U-Turns are strongly discouraged in school zones

Mid-block or other turns to proceed in the opposite direction can be unpredictable and very unsafe in school zones due to high volumes of children and traffic congestion around schools.   Completion of a U-Turn or other mid-block turn in a school zone is strongly discouraged as it increases the danger to children and drivers in school zones. Many school zones have signs prohibiting U-turns making them a ticketable offense where posted. 

Drop your children off on the curbside

Exiting a vehicle on the street side contributes to congestion and narrows the roadway. It is also dangerous for children to exit into the flowing lane of traffic. Whenever possible, drop off where it is legal to do so and have your child exit on the curbside away from traffic. You can engage the child safety locks on the street side of your back seat to ensure children exit on the safer side.