House amends and passes school-zone safety resolution, adding 'with or without crossing guards'

The Utah House amended and passed House Concurrent Resolution 3, a school-zone safety measure intended to promote uniform traffic controls and better protect children crossing streets near schools.

Representative Arlo D. James, sponsor of the resolution, said it grew from an interim study and earlier legislation; he emphasized the need for cooperation among parents, school districts and highway authorities. "We have to get the total problem of school zones corrected," James told the chamber.

A central point of floor debate was whether the resolution would be interpreted as granting the Department of Transportation authority to impose administrative rules that could limit where flashing signs are allowed. Representative Howard warned that DOT rules previously restricted flashing signs unless a crossing guard was present and urged caution so the resolution would not be used as a backdoor for that approach.

To address those concerns the House adopted an amendment (moved by Representative James) inserting the language "with or without crossing guards" after the word "zones" on page 3, line 4. After correcting earlier recorded-vote glitches, the floor reported HCR 3 passed with 73 affirmative votes and 0 negative votes and the measure was forwarded to the Senate.

Next steps: The resolution will be sent to the Senate; floor discussion indicated willingness to hold a committee of the whole or engage DOT representatives for further clarification as needed.