Mayor Lucas's School Zone Safety Ordinance Passes City Council

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Council today unanimously passed Mayor Quinton Lucas's traffic safety ordinance aimed at protecting students in school zones by prohibiting right turns on red signals when school zone speed limits are in effect.

Ordinance 250927 responds to growing concerns about pedestrian safety near schools and represents a significant step forward in the city's commitment to Vision Zero-the goal of eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on Kansas City streets.

"Kids don't need to die on the streets of Kansas City. Any loss of life for a young person, especially a young person going to school, deserves our full policy focus," said Mayor Lucas. "The goal is that our young people, who are an important part of our roads, sidewalks, and trails, can be made as safe as possible as they navigate our city."

Key provisions of the ordinance include:

• No right turns on red in school zones during school hours

• Signage required at all affected intersections

• Schools can request waivers if the rule disrupts pick-up or drop-off

The measure was prompted by the tragic death of nine-year-old Hazen Nevaeh Lyn Workman-Duffy, an elementary school student, at an intersection near a Kansas City school, highlighting the need for enhanced traffic safety measures in areas with heavy pedestrian activity during arrival and dismissal times.