Speeding Makes Back to School Dangerous

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By John Collett

Summary

It was a shocking start to the first day of school at the brand new Cottonwood Elementary.

Story Published: Aug 30, 2010 at 6:36 PM PST

Speeding Makes Back to School Dangerous
BENTON COUNTY - It was a shocking start to the first day of school at the brand new Cottonwood Elementary.

Cars were driving up to 45 miles per hour through neighborhoods on their way to drop off their kids.

Neighbor’s said things went from bad to worse. “The worst was one gal who was doing about 45 miles per hour through here.” Says neighbor Richard Curtin. “She was texting while she was looking down and I’m thinking she wouldn't even have seen a kid.”

Remarkably not a single ticket was handed out for speeding, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office couldn’t do anything about it. The office told KEPR Action News that the deed for the land is currently in the hands of the housing development company, which means the roads are considered private.

Deputies cannot legally give out speeding tickets, but they can still pull people over for reckless driving. Reckless driving is a gray area, and speeding in a 25 mile per hour school zone can be considered reckless.

It will take about a month to put the deed in the hands of the county. Until that happens, no more permanent speed limit signs can be posted. For now, the sheriff's office insists it will keep a presence out there in the coming weeks.

Neighbor Richard Curtin, just wants the kids to be safe. “Just make sure you slow down going from 45 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. It’s not worth it over a kid's life.”