With joint efforts by the Exeter Township Police Department and the Exeter Township School District, supervisors are increasing safety outside the high school.
The Exeter Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment to the traffic ordinance which updated restrictions around the high school.
Police officer David Bentz and William W. Cain, high school principal, teamed up for a presentation during the regular meeting held on Monday, Dec. 22 requesting that something be done to make the roads safer for students.
“I stand on the corner on the intersection of 37th and Woodland… I see near-misses on a regular basis,” Cain said.
With the new traffic ordinance, there is now no parking permitted on the South side of Woodland Ave. and unlimited parking on the North side, from 36th St. back to the end of the high school’s cul-de-sac.
“The biggest concern is the parking along 37th Street,” Bentz said. “There have been two students struck by cars and several near-misses. It’s definitely a controlled dance. When somebody gets in there who doesn’t know the mix, it gets a little dangerous.”
Bentz told the board that Township Manager Troy Bingaman and Chief of Police Christopher Neidert surveyed the residents near the high school several years ago, of which the results sparked some of the proposed changes.
“Most of the incidents or near-incidents are not caused by students, they are actually very careful drivers, probably because most of them are unsure of themselves,” Cain said.
A student was hit last year by a parent making a left turn out of the cul-de-sac onto 37th Street.
In efforts to increase pedestrian safety, a cross walk will be painted on the North side to “encourage students to cross in the least traveled path.” There will not be enforcement or restriction for students who continue to cross on the South side.
By changing the ordinance, Bentz and Cain hope to make “it easier for [drivers] to see and encourage kids to cross safely with a crosswalk. We want to increase safety of kids, as well as drivers going in and out of the col-de-sac.”
Around 1999, an ordinance was adopted restricting street parking to a two-hour time limit, which is not currently enforced by police. Parking will not be restricted during holidays, weekends and the summer months.
“This increases amount of parking in East Reiffton,” Bentz said. “We believe it will work well.”
The ordinance also adds a no turn on red sign on Lincoln Road and Lincoln Drive.