(1-10-25) The Village of Fort Recovery and Fort Recovery Schools have completed a Safe Routes to School Plan and are in the beginning stages of completing projects to assist with making the routes to school safer for students and all pedestrians.

The first project was installed recently at the intersection of Center Street and Elm Street (SR 49). This project consisted of adding Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) to provide additional warning to traffic that a school crosswalk is located at this intersection and the drivers should be prepared to yield to pedestrians using the crosswalk.

Ohio traffic laws for these flashing yellow lights and the signage that has been added require the following for all drivers when the lights are activated and pedestrians are present:

  • Must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk;
  • Should begin yielding when approaching an activated RRFB;
  • Not pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at the crosswalk;
  • Come to a complete stop before reaching the marked crosswalk.

The RRFB is displayed to supplement the signage that is in place and to notify road users that there is a need to pay additional attention to the presence of pedestrians using the crosswalk.

The school will continue to have a crossing guard to monitor the new signals and assist with the safe passage of all pedestrians within the crosswalk. Please be aware and understand that if the beacons are flashing that someone is present and has pushed the button to activate the lights and you should be extra cautious and slow down/stop to yield to any pedestrian.

The safety of these students is our highest priority and your attention is necessary to keep them safe.

A message for the students / pedestrians —- while you have the right-of-way to cross when the lights are flashing, it is imperative that you look both ways and make sure that any vehicles coming toward the intersection are slowing down before you begin crossing. Working together we can all get accustomed to these lights and maintain a level of safety for everyone.