Fargo street crews have installed 10 new bright yellow crosswalk warning signs since September, the result of a push by southside parents wanting to increase the safety of schoolchildren.
Eight of the signs have been installed near eight elementary schools.
"We're trying to make drivers more aware of crosswalks in town," traffic engineer Jeremy Gordon said. "They do grab your attention."
The signs cost $300 a piece.
Principals, however, say that it's money well spent.
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"I got to believe it will help," said Horace Mann Roosevelt Elementary Principal Kim Colwell, adding he noticed the new signs as soon as they were installed. "It's hard to ignore."
Yet, he added, the signs are something kids will have to learn not to ignore, too.
"(While the signs are) going to help, it's just not a 100 percent guarantee," Colwell said, adding parents need to educate kids about crosswalks. "You got to teach the kids not to trust drivers."
Bennett Elementary PTA co-president Chris Graf was one of the parents of southside elementary schools who told Gordon about the need around schools - especially those in south Fargo's fast-growing developments.
"Once we recognized there was a potential for a problem, we acted on it," said the mother of two Bennett students. "When it's your kids involved, you want to make sure everything possible is done."
Bennett Elementary Principal Vicky Stormoe said it's important for all students as traffic increases in the area.
"I don't care if you only have one child walking home, that safety is paramount," she said. "We really want to create awareness this is a school area and we just need to be aware."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Kelly Smith at kmsmith@forumcomm.com or (701) 241-5515
