COLUMBIA, Md. — Howard County is expanding its school speed zones, adding 18 new zones at 10 different school areas. Once implemented, drivers caught speeding in those zones will face doubled fines.
The Howard County Department of Public Works evaluated 25 potential locations following public concerns about driver behavior near schools.
Jennifer Woo, deputy chief of the Bureau of Highways at the Howard County Department of Public Works, said safety is the driving force behind the expansion.
"There are complaints or concerns brought up by parents of student walkers and residents about drivers not complying with the speed regulations or not stopping for children in crosswalks," Woo said.
18 of the 25 evaluated locations qualified. New zones include a portion of Leishear Road in Laurel near Hammond Middle School and Twin Rivers Road in Columbia near Wilde Lake Middle and High schools.
Locations of proposed school speed zones:
- Elkridge Elementary School and Elkridge Landing Middle School
- Howard High School
- Northfield Elementary School and Dunloggin Middle School
- Forest Ridge Elementary School
- Wilde Lake Middle School and Wilde Lake High School
- Hammond Elementary School and Hammond Middle School
- Centennial High School and Burleigh Manor Middle School
- Harper’s Choice Middle School
- Swansfield Elementary School
- Fulton Elementary School, Lime Kiln Middle School, and Reservoir High School
Columbia resident and cyclist Dakota Abernathy said the changes are long overdue for Twin River Road.
"I see a lot of kids, a lot of other people walking, biking, being outside because it's such a lovely area," Abernathy said. "When there's traffic, it's not bad, but when there's no traffic, people will speed through here real quick and it can feel very unsafe."
The new zones are also potential locations for automatic speed enforcement devices, which police rotate weekly.
Police officers will assist with traffic when school begins Monday, August 24. That date is also the deadline for public comment on the school speed zone changes.
Anyone who wishes to send in their thoughts, comments and concerns can email DPW directly: traffic@howardcountymd.gov
DPW will replace old signs as part of the project. The total cost is $50,000.
Woo says work should begin in mid-September, and it should take about four to six weeks for it to be completed.
