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After near‑miss at Bonnet Street crosswalk, Nags Head explores enhanced school‑zone signals and new state law on electronic enforcement
Summary
Following a reported near‑miss at the crosswalk by Nags Head Elementary, police and staff proposed a new pedestrian alert or offset signal and said they are researching the recently enacted SB391 allowing electronic speed‑measuring devices in school zones; chief said citations under SB391 would be civil, reviewed by a sworn officer, and fines would go to the school system under statute.
Town staff and the police chief briefed the board Dec. 3 on a near‑miss at the Bonnet Street crosswalk outside Nags Head Elementary and on tools the town might use to improve safety.
Why it matters: The intersection serves an elementary school, a YMCA and Dowdy Park; staff said driver noncompliance with lights at the Bonnet Street crosswalk had produced near misses and that the town and DOT are exploring quicker‑to‑notice signals and other engineering solutions.
Chief’s proposals and legal context Chief Hale said an early step is to ask DOT to study a pre‑signal or more conspicuous rapid‑flash signals upstream of Bonnet Street to get drivers’ attention. He also raised Senate Bill 391, which took effect in October and authorizes electronic speed‑measuring devices in school zones with civil penalties. "The law went into effect in October... it does require sworn law enforcement officer to review them... the state has already set the fee though, which would be $250," Chief Hale said. He noted the law requires a local ordinance and an internal review process and that fines under the statute generally flow to the local board of education but that detailed revenue and cost‑recovery arrangements may need further study.
Board questions and next steps Commissioners supported an initial engineering solution such as a more visible rapid‑flash beacon and asked staff to consult with DOT on feasibility and cost. Chief Hale said he will survey how other agencies are implementing SB391, consult the Association of Chiefs of Police and report back with an implementation assessment that includes personnel requirements for sworn review of citations and any required town ordinance.
No formal action was taken; staff will follow up with DOT on signal feasibility and provide a later update on SB391 implications for operations and revenue flow.
