CHARLOTTE, N.C. — We all know flashing yellow lights in a school zone means you need to slow down.
But what if the lights are flashing at night, at a time when schools aren’t usually in session?
THE QUESTION
Do you still need to slow down when the lights are flashing at night at Providence Day School?
THE ANSWER
Yes, the lights flashing at 6:30 p.m. near Providence Day School are working as they should and you need to slow down when you see them.
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
The flashing lights on a school zone speed limit sign are there to let drivers know when the lower speed is enforced. According to North Carolina law, the authorized lower speed limit is in effect when lights are flashing.
"Because a lot of people think 'well, it's after hours for school stuff' but we don’t know what other activities are at that school and that would fall into the general statute to have students coming in and out," Aycock said.
WCNC Charlotte's Verify team reached out to the city of Charlotte since they are the ones who are in charge of the lights. They told us the flashing lights are on a fixed schedule that the school provided at the beginning of the school year.
According to the schedule, the school requested flashing lights from 2:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Providence Day School has an extended day program that ends at 6:00 p.m.
And if the school zone lights are flashing at let's say 11:00 p.m.? Aycock said it's reasonable to assume school is not in session and the lights might be malfunctioning.
but if you ever have an doubts? Aycock said it's best to just play it safe.
"A rule of thumb is to follow those rules just to be safe," Aycock said.
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