The Mansfield Division of Police would like to remind the citizens of Mansfield that with local schools open, the school zone speed limit is 20 MPH and is in effect when the yellow lights on the sign are flashing. In the absence of flashing lights, the speed limit of 20 mph is in effect during the period when students are coming and leaving the school and during recess periods. The Division will be monitoring the school zones throughout the school year. Avoid the ticket and keep the children safe.
With the return of the children to school, school buses are also back on the road. When a school bus is stopped with the red lights flashing and the extended stop arm, you are required by law to stop. Remember that children are getting on or off the bus and drivers should exercise extra care and watch for children crossing the road. If the school bus stops on a road with two or more lanes in each direction, such as Lexington Ave or Park Ave W, only the traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus is required to stop.
Additionally, Mansfield has introduced its first roundabout. With it, we have seen a reduction of crashes at this intersection. Though they are abundant in Europe, this method of intersection control is relatively new to drivers in Ohio. The rules for using the roundabout are fairly simple.
– First, the vehicle that is in the circle has the right of way. They don’t have to stop at each intersection on the way around the circle.
– Second, like a four-way stop, the first vehicle to the yield sign has the right of way. Middle Bellville does not have the right of way by default. It follows the above rules of the road.
– Third, again like a four way stop, in the event that two vehicles get to the yield sign at approximately the same time, the vehicle to the right has right of way.
– Fourth, in the event that there are several cars in a line approaching the roundabout and the first has the right of way, the rest of the cars in the line do not inherit right of way. Again, the rules apply similar to a four way stop. Each vehicle’s right of way is determined when it reaches the yield sign in relation to all other vehicle at the intersection.
If we all follow these simple rules of the road, we will continue to see reductions in traffic crashes and a more efficient use of this intersection.