Pryor Police Remind Drivers Of Speed In School Zones

School is back in session for many districts, and that means you need to slow down in school zones.

A national study estimates more than 40 children have been killed in school zones in the last decade, and Pryor police are trying to prevent that from happening.

For the very first time they’re using signs, not only to remind drivers what the school zone speed limit is but to also tell them if they're breaking it.

Colton Marsh, and others who live near Lincoln Elementary in Pryor said it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

“We have people running red lights, and they're speeding through here all the time," Marsh said.

He said he's worried about his sister's safety based on the reckless driving he's witnessed.

"It kind of makes me mad. Honestly, my mom has to walk her across, of course, and my little sister's 7, and still has to have someone walk her across the street to go to school. It shouldn't be like that," Marsh said.

William Chewie lives around the corner and said he's noticed it, too.

"I just see people coming through here like, real fast," he said.

Many drivers are not going the posted 20-mile-per-hour school zone speed limit when it's in effect.

Police say the signs will hopefully change that by showing drivers just how fast they're going.

Pryor Police Chief, Steven Lemmings, "It allows them to see what their speed is in their vision instead of looking down."

Pryor Police are also ramping up patrols in and around school zones this week - the purpose, to prevent a tragedy.

"They need to slow down. Imagine if they hit a child," Marsh said.

Speeding in a school zone will land you at least $169 in fines.