INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, city officials and Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) celebrated the installation of new safety technology to protect students walking and biking in school zones.
The beacons are solar-powered and will flash an hour before and an hour after the first school bell, then 30 minutes before the school bell and 90 minutes after the final bell.
The city has planned installation of flashing beacon technology outside nearly two dozen Marion County schools located along thoroughfares that lacked this safety protection. Now that the equipment has been delivered, Indy DPW has started installing 50 new devices across the county.
Schools in the area that will be getting the flashing beacons include Brookside School 54, Shepherd Community Academy, Building Blocks Academy, Herron Prep Academy, and James Whitcomb Riley School 43.
“I’m grateful to see this safety technology now benefitting our students,” said City-County Council Vice President Zach Adamson. “Across my district, this has been effective in reminding drivers that they are entering school zones.”
“Indianapolis Public Schools is proud to be part of this major safety initiative from the City of Indianapolis and DPW,” said IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson. “The investment in and installation of flashing safety beacons at or near schools within the IPS district and throughout Marion County is yet another way to improve the safety of students and families as they travel to and from schools.”
“We all share a responsibility to ensure all road users get to their destination safely,” said Indy DPW Director Brandon Herget. “When you pass an active school zone beacon, slow down and pay extra attention to ensure our kids – the most vulnerable pedestrians in our city — get to and from school safely.”
