Is This the Most Confusing Speed Limit Sign You’ve Ever Seen?
- Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:53am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (The Blaze/AP) — An unusual school zone speed limit sign in suburban Detroit has drawn the attention of an irked driver.
Greg Smith tells The Oakland Press of Pontiac that he noticed the sign recently — which was put up on Jan. 12 — in Oakland County’s White Lake Township that lists six separate times when drivers should slow down to 25 mph on school days.
Smith says drivers “practically have to come to a stop to read it.” An elementary, middle and high school all are nearby.
Greg Smith and the odd sign. (AP)
Police Chief Ed Harris says a meeting is being called with the White Lake Township supervisor, the school district and the county road commission about the sign. Harris says the township didn’t put it up but is trying to resolve the matter.
“I’m thinking of printing out the speeds and attaching it to my dashboard,” Smith concluded.
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Comments (199)
Thighmaster
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:44amWhen I was young we were much faster and in much better shape so we didn’t need drivers to slow down in their commute to wherever they were going. I think it should be illegal for students to have cell phones turned on during these hours to give them a fair shot on our roadways..
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:52am.
Slow Fat Kids are why I have a Brush Guard on the front of my truck……….
My Mama taught me to look both ways before crossing the street. Must be a lost art……
Report Post »JohnHW
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:59amWhatever happened to school crossings and REQUIRE the STUDENTS cross there. Then you have a sign showing 25 with the words saying WHEN KIDS ARE PRESENT. But, of course, we can’t hold “kids” to any standards. I learned very quickly to use a crosswalk or cross ONLY at intersections. I don‘t remember any student being hit in the crosswalk in the ’50s. Now, if a kid wants to do or act a certain way, everyone else seems to be at fault if they try to prevent it.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:07amThat was pretty good Monkey. :-)
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:21amJust drive 25mph on any given school day. KISS. Keep it simple sailor.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:24amWow. A couple of Darwinians chime in. Yep. kill off the slow, fat kids. What about the slow, fat adults? Funny… the The Blaze is a forum where posters assert the govt. can’t make sure your kid gets a healthy meal in school (and, no, I’m no fan of the food police), but when the general public is behind the wheel of an automobile, kids are moving targets that damn well better stay out of the way. Sounds about right.
Report Post »Replace the time range sign with a flashing light and turn the light on when drivers are expected to abide by the 25 mph sign. End of story. And fine the hell out of any turd who can’t be bothered to respect the law or other human beings. My wife was hot on the stick behind the wheel of a car ’til she got busted for speeding in a school zone. It‘s amazing how a driver’s safety course, choking up a big wad of cash and points off your license can get most folks’ attention. And no children had to be turned into examples. Go figure.
jb.kibs
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:34amSlow children playing grow up to be slow men working.
just saying.
the idea of putting “When Children are Present” seems to be the most logical statement yet.
Report Post »Nasado
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:40am@The Gooch
Report Post »I am sorry that they either forgot or were unable to teach you what sarcasm is. I hope that you may one day invest in a dictionary and discover this great knowledge for yourself.
Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:57amIt’s not fat kids, it’s lawsuits. This city wants a digital sign that would change on a timer but they can’t afford one. A light seems like it would do.
Either way, if you don’t live in this city and drive down this street WHY DO YOU CARE?
Bunch of gaggling chicken heads.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:02pmI have noticed several in my recent travels, with these bizarre start/stop times.
7:22am??? REALLY???
Let me pull over an whip out my atomic clock to synchronize with the school zone.
Round it off to the half hour. If that is asking too much then at least round it to the quarter hour!
This many time periods has to be a record, though!
I’m pretty sure nobody could possibly read all that, even going the lowest speed limits.
Ah, big government. Isn’t it GREAT?!?!
Report Post »GeorgieBaby
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:02pmAdults aren’t that swift either. I was always taught to watch out for cars backing up, that the driver most likely coulnd’t see me, and to NEVER walk behind a car backing up. I think I was the only one taught that valuable lesson on this planet. Adults, and their children walk behind cars backing up all of the time. Stupidity.
Report Post »83plus
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:45pmYou’ve got to be kidding me, in my area it’s simple 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. I don‘t recall seeing ’school days‘ or ’weekdays’ specified but it might still apply.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:56pmThis is the point where I just stop reading and do 25 in that zone during school hours.
You wanna honk at me while speeding by? Do so at your own peril.
Oh- and whoever the moron was that made this speed trap up needs to be fired.
Report Post »83plus
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:40pmJust have it say 6:49 AM to 4:30 PM
Report Post »83plus
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:42pmThey can leave ‘school days only’ if they want.
Report Post »bccrane
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:54pmSchools in our area have a yellow flashing light and the speed limit sign with the words “Speed Limit When Flashing” (yes I know there may be some smart remarks about that).
Report Post »Christhefarmer
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 2:00pmUmm how bout drive 25 when the light is flashing. Then have a light that flashes during those times.
Report Post »Wilbur Longshank
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 2:12pmGee here is an Idea. put up a sign after the school area that says end of school zone. then the drivers can speed up again.
They can’t be that stupid up in Mich oh wait look at the shape the state is in after all those years of liberalism.
Report Post »libtardian-refugee
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 2:47pmIn Michigan? are you sure this isn’t in Hazzard County, kind of looks like Roscoe P. Coletrain’s handywork
Report Post »shack
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:12pmJust drive the normal speed limit. This and any speed limit based on time is invalid and will be thrown out in court. There is no law, in any state, requiring a driver to know the correct time or even possess a clock. Disregard the sign!
Report Post »Protoham
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:33pmSo what is the speed not during these hours 25???
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:47pmLooks like it says 25 MPH all day school days.
Report Post »Rohawk
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:55pmI wonder how many kids will get hit while drivers are trying to read the whole sign to figure out whether they should slow down instead of watching the road!
Report Post »GunnsAblazinG
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 6:18pmHad a sign very similar to this one near my old neighborhood in Idaho. At an intersection near a high school and jr. high school.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 6:41pm@ Nasado:
Report Post »Just trying to point out the disparity in stances some stories seem to force with some posters on this forum. Hell, I’m down with the joke. Dead babies are always funny, right? Swift‘s ’A Modest Proposal’ is a favorite work from my under grad years… it was one of the writings that led me to consider NOT being a liberal jerk. Maybe any kid that can’t make it across the road is used for lunch or breakfast (depending on what time of day the kid is made an object lesson on survival of the fittest). I would counter there is a world of difference between mean-spirited sarcasm (once described to me as “the devil’s tool”) and intelligent satire. Feel free to shuck and jive by calling another poster stupid… it seems this tactic is used liberally in both conservative and progressive sandboxes. Yawn.
The sign referred to in this story is stupid. Its intended purpose is not.
The-Monk
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:02pmSo, if I get pulled over at 7:16 am according to my OnStar GPS device and the Cop writes me a ticket for speeding at 7:14 am, according to his wrist watch, who will the Judge believe? OnStar or the Cops wrist watch?
Report Post »BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 7:46amIf you think this sign is confusing… Wait until the government decides that in order to be sensitive to other cultures we need to also make signs in each language that is spoken in the US. Then it would take you 25 minutes just to find the sign written in English.
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 8:11amThat has to be a prank by some duds that are now laughing their heads off. Whats funny is that it does seem plausible that some governmental entity would do this.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on February 19, 2012 at 1:27amObviously, this is meant to be a speed trap, but one has to wonder, how many kids have been run down, due to drivers trying to both read the sign and check their watch at the same time.
Report Post »Lumbar Spine
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:42amYea…obviously it‘s Obama’s fault. And it means the death of liberty and freedom, too…
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:28amDon’t worry, if obama gets his way, soon we will all be driving Chevy Voltobama-Mobiles, which explode if driven over 25 MPH – Problem Solved!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:34amOakland County MI … this burg is Detroit … heck half of them probably can’t even read having gone to Detroit schools .. they need to do what they do here where I live .. 25 mph when LIGHTS are flashing (have lights on sign) ..
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:07amLove your humor! Reminded me of the movie “Speed”! I have a wicked-sense of humor and love to see these unusual signs. Remembered a Crematory Business that had a bright-red-neon-sign in the window that read “OPEN”…I found that funny! With the cost of “signs” this confusing sign is a Liberal’s view of CONTROLLING with DRAMA, drivers in that area. A simple 6:30-4:30-25 MPH-School-Days-Only sign is a Conservative’s view for drivers in that area!
Report Post »I still chuckle about warning labels for idiots and the classic: When removing or replacing fan-belt, please HAVE CAR ENGINE….wait for it……OFF!!!
83plus
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:37pm@AmazingGrace8
I was just thinking myself.
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:23amBureaucrats only think in terms of themselves never what their audience might see…look at the Obama administration and their regulations as an example.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:00pmActually, they want to install a digital sign and get rid of this one but they don’t have the funds.
If you bothered to get your news anywhere but here then you might know that.
Report Post »zman173rd
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:23amHere in Montanan we like to “go fast” cause there’s not much between point A and point B. There’s a school zone by me that has a posted sign of 45MPH. When the school is in session the sign pivots to 35MPH and the amber light flashes. Kind of like those bilboards that use shutter type panels. Works for me.
Report Post »GardenoftheGods
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:40pmOur town in FL had an interesting way of slowing you down in a school zone…they made it a speed trap. EVERYONE slowed down! It was a nice moneymaker for a small town too :o)
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:22am“When Children Present” will do.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:35amyes, that makes the most sense..
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:46amyup thats what our school signs say. see a little person slow down.
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:57amBut the little buzzards are often quite small and difficult to see.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:19amAt least the Police Chief is trying to do something about it, instead of taking advantage of it.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:19amIt’s not just a sign…it’s an ATM for local government.
Report Post »skitrees
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:19amHahahaha! That’s great…and SO true. You know – when you penalize even those who do their best every day to abide by the law, it’s a bad law/sign.
Bastogne simply has big signs indicating pedestrian crossings – and they aren’t kidding – there is no “stop, look, and listen” going on there. The drivers learn quickly that pedestrians are king. No extra signs needed.
Side note: The John Stossel piece about traffic in third world countries is pretty good.
Report Post »Brainmuffin
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:49pmPeople routinely go 40 (instead of the posted 25) through school zones around us and there is never a cop to pull them over.
Report Post »s0ck_monkey
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:15amI’m surprised anyone even noticed the sign at all, considering how busy everyone is texting and surfing Facebook, Twitter, etc while they’re driving…
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:22amI can’t beleive the racists are allowed to use the name White Lake Township. Have they no govt issued white guilt? The horror, the horror… Meanwhile, back at the ranch, granny is beating off the indians, don’t scalp me, don’t scalp me…. 80% reduction in nuke arsenal, Iran is rattling rusty sabres and we need to discuss a universal minimun tax… sure.
Report Post »50Caliber
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:47amI can’t believe those lucky Indians.
Report Post »Jsor2112
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:15amHere in FL they did away with the times. Now the school zones have a yellow blinking light on top of the school zone sign that is posted at the beginning and at the end of the school zone … it’s simple … if the light is blinking you go slow … if it‘s not it’s regular speed. The light is programmed so when there is a day off or for school vacation the light does not blink and when summer school is in session it blinks at the correct times because the start/end times are different for the day.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:34am@JSOR2112: That blinking yellow school zone light worked well in our Florida town until the power outage this past Monday morning: two traffic lights were out too. Meanwhile, back in Michigan; they could post the 25 m.p.h. speed limit from 6:49 a.m. – 4:29 p.m., Monday – Friday. The way it is now, your watch / clock better be on the correct time and the cop’s too. Maybe the local government won’t mess it up.
Report Post »Jsor2112
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:40am@Tom …. The ones where I live have solar panels that store power to be used when needed or backup battery packs. I am in Volusia county.
Report Post »AlansTigg
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:02amours are solar powered here too (central FL)
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:06amI suspect the only flashing light you will see here is on top or in the grill of the car transporting the overweight cop who will write you a ticket for not heeding the sign.. but if you look real close you might see a glistening (sun)light flashing off the donut icing on the corner of his mouth as he asks for your drivers license and registration..
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:58pmGASP!! I blinking light?!
FREAK OUT! THAT’S NOT GREEN!
Report Post »flatdaddio
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:13amwhomever came up with this should be fired…..apparently they are not competent….
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:16amJust like our current POTUS.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:21amThank you big government for only making it six different times instead of ten!
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:30amI never got why there are six times. Just say go 25 from half an hour before till half an hour after school ends.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:41amNot really.
Report Post »They probably got fed up with all the bickering over school zone speed limits and effective times and decided to give the citizens everything they were asking for.
ozchambers
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:00amBetter make sure your watch is keeping correct time!!
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:03pmWhoever WROTE THIS “NEWS” ARTICLE should be fired, moron.
Other news outlets are reporting that the city is attempting to replace it with a digital sign but they dont’ have the funds yet. Sadly, you only get your news from the bubble.
Report Post »outwest
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:12amYeah, they should post all the ‘non-school’ days somewhere on this sign….another ridiculously long list.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:56amYou got that right, it would have to be a billboard.
Report Post »Rick494
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:07amAnd if the police officer’s watch is a couple of minutes fast or slow?
Report Post »DD313
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:49amHave the officer’s watch calibrated like they do for radar guns.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:54amIt would be interesting to know if anyone who has been ticketed ever uses that argument.
Report Post »Maybe we should have our own dashcams with date and time stamped video recording to protect ourselves.
Some guy used his gps tracking data to fight a bogus ticket and he won.
hauschild
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:07amAnswer:
Home school.
Removes the need for silly speed limits, school buildings, progressive indoctrination, unions, pensions, property taxes, the nanny state …..
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:09amYes indeed.
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:13amThe same people that put up this sign,,,
Are in charge of all new federal regulation for EVERYTHING.
It was nice knowing you.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:16pmby “progressive indoctrination” he means having to learn anything ever. Just keep eating your grits, Jethro.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:05amWe have a couple of those type of time zone signs here too. Just a tricky way to raise ticketing revenues. Our school zone fines start at $250 and everything is doubled. Speed over limit, points, fines per infraction, all these are revenue generating enhancements. The PD stake out our school zones with dedicated motorcycle units.
Report Post »brickhouse_22
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:04amThe sign fails to mention if those times are Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time. Also, I think they should put a sign with the school calendar on it so the drivers know what days are ‘School Days”.
Report Post »Wither than or just make the speed limit 25 permanently.
olddog
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:04amThe Head of the World Bank is stepping down and Hilary want the job, Obama’s behind her 100%, but I say absolutely not. If Hilary knew anything about head, Bill would not have strayed so far..
Report Post »Hilary is a woman that will do or say Anything to be in charge of something…
katie5
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:15amYou’re commenting on the wrong story.
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:34amWhat Hillary did the financial backing for this sign as a way to grow support for her getting the position? Wait so that isn’t what your saying? Then I believe your are more confused than I was all .0003 seconds I had to take to realize your on the wrong story.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:03amHere is a thought put in flashing yellow lights when the school zone is in force in the morning 7am – 9 am when children are going to school, turn it back on when students are leaving school from 2-4. Problem solved. Better yet, put the times 7 am – 9 am and 2pm – 4pm is the 25 speed limit. How hard can that be?
What is up with the 6: 49 am crap? Never hire a man to do what a woman can do in 15 seconds and logic.
Report Post »katie5
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:17amI would be willing to bet a man did NOT make up those times.
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:35amNo a bureaucrat did it, when acting in those roles I question even their humanity.
Report Post »FREEDOM_IS_NOT_FREE
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:02amIf you think this is confusing you should see the school rules for bringing your own lunch. LOL
Report Post »FREEDOM_IS_NOT_FREE
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:00amWho’s idea was this? Maxine Waters? Nancy Pelosi? Meeshell?
Report Post »Captain77
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:00amIt would be much too simple to simply have the times be from 6:50-4:30. After all, since when was government clear and concise?
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:04amThat has been tried.
Report Post »Too many complaints from drivers having to slow down when kids are supposed to be in class.
I have a school zone sign in my front yard but rarely see a kid walking to or from school.
EqualJustice
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:59amWhy don’t they just say “WHEN BLINKING” and put in a blinking warning light? That’s what most schools have.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:05amBecause the city councilor’s brother, who makes signs, isn’t equipped to attach blinking lights to them yet?
j/k
Honestly this is absurdly silly.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:11amHAHAHAHA Probably true. :)
Report Post »DD313
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:43amBecause it’s too far from the school for an extension cord?
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 6:30pmHAHAHHAAHHAA Thanks, I need that! :)
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:58amGovernment run amok….
Report Post »JBaer
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:39pmSo true, but at least they spelled “school” correctly. Haha
Report Post »Ironeagle
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:56amIts a damn traffic hazard…who is going to take the time to read all that and be distracted while driving? Unless, its meant to help maximize traffic violations–which it will do.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:55amMust have been designed by Obama.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:12am..and made by “prisoners.” :)
Report Post »LLATPOH
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:13amMaybe, but it would have affected churches only. :)
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:37amDon’t forget the right-wing racist bigots. :)
Report Post »