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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend July 14, 2005 Since you asked More on Oregon’s school-zone signs I moved to Medford from Southern California in March and don’t understand when the 20-mph speed laws near schools are applicable. While some of them, like the "flashing light" zones, are easy to figure out, some of the others are not. Do I have it right that you have to go 20 mph at all times in some of these? And what about when a sign says a 20-mph limit is in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. — does that mean the law applies during the summer months? Holidays? Weekends? — Bill W., Medford FYI: That blood-curdling scream you heard in downtown Medford on a recent Tuesday evening was us reading your letter. Get ready to be educated and possibly more confused, Bill. This law, which went into effect last year, isn’t one of our favorites, either. We’ve tried to explain it. Dace Cochran has tried to explain it. The Legislature is just plain confused, clearly. But while the logic behind the statute is somewhat puzzling, the law itself shouldn’t be too difficult to understand. In short, the signs mean exactly what they say. When a sign in a school zone orders drivers to slow to 20 mph "at all times," it means exactly that, whether we’re talking last Thursday or Easter Sunday. Other school-zone signs state specific times and days of the week when reduced speed limits are enforced. Most of the ones we’ve seen read "school days" and not "weekdays," but we’re not saying there aren’t some of those out there, too. Advertisement Now that we’re clear on the "new" law, it’s time to confound you with a few facts about current efforts to modify it. A bill that passed the Legislature June 27 would require a 20-mph speed limit from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on roads adjacent to schools, or anytime a yellow traffic light flashes, thus ridding Oregon of those "at all times" signs. In other areas near schools, the speed limit will be imposed when children are present or when the yellow light flashes. If Gov. Ted Kulongoski signs the bill into law, it will go into effect in July 2006. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to Since you asked ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s