Pedestrian Crossing Signs May Go Up Near Kratzer School

South Whitehall has applied for "Yield to Pedestrian" signs for the area near in a continuing effort to slow down speeding motorists near the school.

New School Zone signs went up in November, but area residents have complained to township officials about their placement, saying they have not been visible enough to motorists.

South Whitehall Public Works Director Tony Ganguzza said the sign placements were approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, based on engineering studies. So are motorists not seeing the signs, Ganguzza asked, or are they just not used to seeing the signs, which post the speed limit as 15 mph during the school's arrival and departure times?

He said the bright yellow "Yield to Pedestrian" signs are the next step in getting motorists' attention and improving safety in the area. The signs, which are available free from PennDOT, would go up in crosswalks near the school.

"I think it's just getting people used to it," Ganguzza said. "It's people's behavior."

Meanwhile, South Whitehall police have done enforcement in the area.

The new School Zone signs were installed about seven months after South Whitehall commissioners  of Whitehall Avenue and Huckleberry Road near the school, in response to a resident's concern about speeding vehicles.