[Warren Kiefer]

Almost every time I travel thru the 20 MPH school zone area on route 466, I see a county deputy using radar. I know that in certain areas, slow school zones protect the children, but at this particular school zone, I have never seen a child crossing or even near the 466 highway in all the years since the schools were built. Children load and unload quite a distance from the highway. Is this 20 MPH school zone really ncessary or is it just a cash cow for the county as they write a lot of tickets in that location.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Almost every time I travel thru the 20 MPH school zone area on route 466, I see a county deputy using radar. I know that in certain areas, slow school zones protect the children, but at this particular school zone, I have never seen a child crossing or even near the 466 highway in all the years since the schools were built. Children load and unload quite a distance from the highway. Is this 20 MPH school zone really ncessary or is it just a cash cow for the county as they write a lot of tickets in that location.

We live in that area and I've often seen kids at the Bellvedere Library, and I've seen them walking through the tunnel to get to Southern Trace Plaza. I presume they cross CR 466 as well. It's a School Zone ..... no reason to speed when the lights are flashing!

[bkcunningham1]

I have been there many, many times in the afternoon when school is letting out. I see lots of high school-aged kids crossing 466 on foot. Also, the lower speed limit and designated school zone helps reduce accidents with the hundreds of extra vehicles in the area before and after school. There are no buses at The Villages Charter Schools so there are many extra vehicles in the area of the school complex. It is a reminder to slow down and drive safely.

[quirky3]

If you think the posted speed limit is inapproporiate, you can go through normal channels to try to get it changed. In the meantime, people who choose to exceed the posted limit accept the risk of being fined. No "highway robbery" involved.

[twinklesweep]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Almost every time I travel thru the 20 MPH school zone area on route 466, I see a county deputy using radar. I know that in certain areas, slow school zones protect the children, but at this particular school zone, I have never seen a child crossing or even near the 466 highway in all the years since the schools were built. Children load and unload quite a distance from the highway. Is this 20 MPH school zone really ncessary or is it just a cash cow for the county as they write a lot of tickets in that location.

From your posting, I can't tell how much time you spend monitoring the pedestrian traffic (including schoolchildren) across CR-466 near the high school and the library; if it's about the same amount of time as the rest of us, then it's certainly possible that YOU "have never seen a child crossing or even near the 466 highway in all the years since the schools were built," but this doesn't mean that it doesn't happen—and happen a lot!

Meantime, as far as a "cash cow" is concerned, there is no cash cow for whatever governmental agency is responsible for enforcing the speed limit restrictions, so long as we obey the speed limit! Kind of a simple solution, wouldn't you say? I remember years ago reading one person's posting on the subject in which she swore that she was specifically targeted as a snowbird (that is, based on the out-of-state tags on her vehicle). Never once did she consider the possibility that SHE was in any way responsible for that ticket by virtue of her choosing to speed through that school zone....

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Almost every time I travel thru the 20 MPH school zone area on route 466, I see a county deputy using radar. I know that in certain areas, slow school zones protect the children, but at this particular school zone, I have never seen a child crossing or even near the 466 highway in all the years since the schools were built. Children load and unload quite a distance from the highway. Is this 20 MPH school zone really ncessary or is it just a cash cow for the county as they write a lot of tickets in that location.

What is a "lot of tickets"?

[billethkid]

there are always kids walking along the area of the schools....a school ZONE is a school ZONE.......slow down and enjoy the scenery.

btk

[DougB]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Almost every time I travel thru the 20 MPH school zone area on route 466, I see a county deputy using radar. I know that in certain areas, slow school zones protect the children, but at this particular school zone, I have never seen a child crossing or even near the 466 highway in all the years since the schools were built. Children load and unload quite a distance from the highway. Is this 20 MPH school zone really ncessary or is it just a cash cow for the county as they write a lot of tickets in that location.

If even one child crosses 466 in the area you are referring, then yes the 20 MPH zone is necessary. They can't write a ticket if you stay under the speed limit.

[buggyone]

I wonder if the OP got handed one of the speeding tickets in the school zone?

Personally, I slow down to the 20 mph. Whole lot cheaper to slow down and take a few extra minutes than to pay that speeding in a school zone ticket.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by twinklesweep

From your posting, I can't tell how much time you spend monitoring the pedestrian traffic (including schoolchildren) across CR-466 near the high school and the library; if it's about the same amount of time as the rest of us, then it's certainly possible that YOU "have never seen a child crossing or even near the 466 highway in all the years since the schools were built," but this doesn't mean that it doesn't happen—and happen a lot!

Meantime, as far as a "cash cow" is concerned, there is no cash cow for whatever governmental agency is responsible for enforcing the speed limit restrictions, so long as we obey the speed limit! Kind of a simple solution, wouldn't you say? I remember years ago reading one person's posting on the subject in which she swore that she was specifically targeted as a snowbird (that is, based on the out-of-state tags on her vehicle). Never once did she consider the possibility that SHE was in any way responsible for that ticket by virtue of her choosing to speed through that school zone....

I agree with Twinklesweep.

I have lived to see every tenet I have ever believed in questioned.

It is a school zone. Kids. Slow down. Simple. Easy peasy. Chill.

Your headers are attention getting, I'll give you that.

[redwitch]

Simple solution -- go down Wedgewood and skip 466 during school zone hours if it's that much of an issue to you.

[BobnBev]

Kudos to the Deputy writing the tickets. 20 MPH MEANS
20 MPH. Not 22 or 25. He just might have saved a kids life today.

[PaPaLarry]

I don't believe this is a "cash cow" per say. I myself, have seen children crossing 466, but also keep in mind, that Umpteen cars come and go from the school area, (with children in them) daily, and we need to protect and make sure safety is what we are looking at. I have no problem, driving 20 miles per hour (for the short stretch) if this is what it takes to protect our children.

[butterfly sue]

Same old story - Why the rush? The school zone doesn't last but a few blocks.

[janmcn]

It is the state law in Florida and most every state in the country.