School zone FAQ's

The information on this page is intended to provide the reader with a general understanding of traffic signs found in and around schools located within unincorporated Clark County. This information may not necessarily apply to other local jurisdictions including the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Mesquite, or Boulder City. State traffic laws can be found in the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 484, http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-484.html.

--What is the difference between a School Crossing Zone and a School Zone?

A school crossing zone refers to streets which are not adjacent to school property, but are regularly crossed by students while following a designated walking route to and from a particular school. A school zone, however, refers specifically to those streets which are directly adjacent to school property.

--Why are some streets near schools posted with a speed limit of 15 miles per hour while other streets are posted at 25 miles per hour?

The 15 mile per hour speed limit is posted to advise motorists that they are driving through an area designated as a school zone. The 25 mile per hour posting indicates that a driver is approaching or going through a school crossing zone. These signs also note the times when these restricted speeds are in effect.

--Are restricted speeds in school zones in effect all day long?

Recent changes in State law allows speed limits in school zones to be in place only during those times when children are expected to be present. Therefore, posted times for schools located in unincorporated Clark County generally reflect those hours when students are going to or from school.

Clark County is currently updating both the school zone and school crossing zone signs to reflect this change in the law as normal maintenance of the school speed limit signs occur. It should be noted, however, that not all local jurisdictions have adopted this practice and, consequently, motorists should be particularly attentive to signs posted in and around school zones.

In locations where school beacons are used to control traffic, reduced speeds are only in effect when these devices are flashing yellow. When the beacons are turned off, motorists can proceed a the regularly posted speed limit.

--When yellow school beacons are not flashing, are motorists required to drive at the reduced speed limit?

School flashing beacons are turned off during those times children are not in school or when pupils are inside attending class. Consequently, motorists are not required to drive at the reduced speed limit when the flashing light is not on.

--Why dont all schools utilize school flashing beacons?

Flashing beacons are commonly installed to bring to the attention of motorists that they are in a school zone or school crossing zone. These devices are typically used on streets with higher traffic volumes and vehicular speeds than neighborhood streets. The beacons essentially provide drivers with an extra "alert" to be cautious while moving through an area where children may be present.

--Why are some school signs yellow and others a flourescent yellow?

Federal law was recently changed to allow for the new flourescent yellow-green signs to be used for pedestrian type signage including school zones and school crossing zones. Clark County is installing these new flourescent yellow-green signs at new school zonesand school crossing zones and will slowly be changing all the school signs to the new flourescent yellow-green as normal maintenance of the school signs occurs.