Sheba Turk / Eyewitness News
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As children settle into the new school year, New Orleans drivers will be adjusting to some changes outside of the classroom. Last month, the city council unanimously approved an ordinance, extending school zone hours.
Interim City Councilmember for District B, Diana Bajoie explains, “We extended the hours because school days now are extended they start earlier and end later. I think we need to do everything we can to keep children safe as they go back and forth to school.”
School zone hours have been from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Under the ordinance, morning school zone hours across the city will run from 7 a.m.- 9 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. People we talked to feel positive about the change.
Cliff Hines says, “It is kind of a hassle and inconvenience for drivers but if it means more for kids...I think it’s worth it in the long run.”
And Marsha King agrees, “I think its good.People need to slow down and take it easy because I’ve seen people speeding through here, so I think it’s good.”
Even though many students in the metro area go back to school this week, some of the signs like the ones on Orleans Ave still reflect the old times. City officials started installing the new signs last week, and council members say drivers won't be ticketed until the new signage is up. The council wants to make sure the public is aware of the changes and that they are actually enforced.
Bajoie adds, “And one of the things that we are going to have to do...We are going to have to get more officers to monitor because we have too many areas where people don't slow down for the children.”
