Crosswalk zones tested with reflective signposts
SAFETY: Pilot program in Lake Forest hopes to catch the attention of motorists who fail to heed crossing guards in the school zones.

By CHANTAL LAMERS
The Saddleback Valley News

Crossing guards will have a little extra help getting school children safely across the street at four Lake Forest intersections.

The city was chosen in September to be part of a pilot program to test whether colorful, highly reflectively signposts placed in the crosswalk will coax drivers into slowing down.

Preliminary tests have already proved that drivers slow down as they approach the crosswalks. Most drivers also stopped 10 to 15 feet behind the limit line, said Lake Forest Sheriff's Lt. Mike James.

The program was initiated by All City Management, which contracts crosswalks programs with cities across the state.

James said although the proposal is currently a pilot program, it's likely that the city will eventually start placing the posts at all 17 of its school crosswalk zones.

The green posts, about four feet tall, will be placed at Dune Mear and Rockfield, Serrano Road and Winding Way and Saddleback Ranch and Fawn Ridge. The fourth intersection hasn't been officially decided yet, although it might be Ruedefourtuna and Bake Parkway, according to James.

The tests will take place at intersections starting within the next seven to 10 days and will remain in place for up to six weeks.

The Sheriff's Team of Active Retired Seniors will monitor the intersections and record driving speeds with radar equipment, said James.

The intersection of Winding Way and Serrano Road is near Rancho Cañada Elementary School, headed by Principal Georgia Menges.

"It's a busy corner, so I think it will help," Menges said.

Traffic is always a topic of concern at the elementary school and Menges is hopeful the project will increase safety.

According to All City Management, Lake Forest was chosen to be part of the program because of its on-going work to increase the safety of children. In September of 2000, the city began a program to keep drivers from going through crosswalks when a crossing guard was inside the white lines.

Under the city's vehicle code, motorists must stay out of the crosswalk, even when a crossing guard is at the opposite side of street.

James said that during the past year, more than 100 letters were sent to motorists who disobeyed the vehicle code.

Drivers weren't fined for crossing the line, but were informed about the laws of driving through school zones, said James.