Flashing traffic lights to inform motorists they are entering a school zone are needed along Missouri J in front of the elementary school, the New Bloomfield R-3 Board of Education was told Wednesday night.
Superintendent David Tramel said the current speed limit in front of the school is set at 35 mph because the Missouri Department of Transportation is unable to lower the speed limit along a state road.
Tramel said he has asked the state for a traffic study with the aim of lowering the speed limit through the area during school hours but he was told the state has a policy of not lowering speed limits even though it involves a school with elementary school children.
Tramel said the New Bloomfield Police Department has been extremely helpful in enforcing the 35 mph speed limit but that speed is too high to keep the area safe for small children.
As a compromise, the board plans to ask for a safety study of the area to permit the state to erect flashing lights to warn motorists of school children in the area.