The first day of classes in Mancos was Tuesday, and law enforcement officials are reminding motorists to obey posted speed limits.
The friendly reminder to obey the posted 20 m.p.h. speed limit was issued by Town Marshal John Cox, saying there would be some 450 students and teachers arriving to campus when the first day of school starts on Tuesday.
"In my humble opinion, any person motoring down Grand Avenue during school hours should be aware of the 20 m.p.h. school zone speed limit, and thus should be observing it," Cox warned.
Cox said fines for speeding in a school zone range from $224 for exceeding the speed limit by as little as 5 m.p.h. up to $864 for any speed over 20 m.p.h. higher than the limit.
"For your own financial sake, please observe the school zone speed limit," Cox pleaded.
In addition to the speed limit, Cox said motorists should also be mindful of school crossings, pointing out there will be children "darned near everywhere."
"It's a very busy environment complete with many potential hazards," Cox said. "The slower you go, the quicker you can stop if you have to do so."
When driving, the reaction time for the average person is less than a second, and a motorist's total stopping distance is also dependent on the vehicle's speed, road conditions as well as mechanical conditions of the car, Cox said.
"There's nothing the good folks at the Marshal's Office can do if your brakes need serviced or to quicken your reaction time, but the speed your vehicle travels in the school zone, well, we can do something about that," he added. "I've instructed our officers to strictly enforce the 20 m.p.h. school zone speed limit."
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
