Here we have an example of a traffic control device being considered
not because an engineering study warranted such a device, but because
a student was hit by a car nearby and the emotional knee-jerk reaction
among the parents was to push for a traffic light.

Something very similar happened at my high school: a student was
killed while crossing the busy street in front of the high school.
This student was NOT in a crosswalk - he crossed illegally in the
middle of the block. The knee-jerk reaction was to lower the speed
limit in front of the school from 30 MPH to 15 MPH. That speed zone
still exists, even though it's been over 20 years since the boy died.

You can bet your britches that this block-long stretch of underposted
speed limit is heavily patrolled by the local police department.

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/231346

Traffic control device reconsidered

By Brian J. Pedersen

Marana officials are reconsidering installing a stoplight at an
intersection next to Marana High School where an 18-year-old student
was critically injured March 15.

A traffic engineering study conducted by the town in November
determined the intersection of West Emigh and North Sandario roads did
not warrant any sort of traffic-control devices, Marana traffic
engineering division manager Fernando Prol said.

Marana senior Cecelia Van Dyke remained in critical condition earlier
this week at University Medical Center, where she's been since being
flown there after her vehicle collided with a garbage truck after she
turned north onto Sandario shortly after school let out.

As a result of the crash, Prol said, the town is taking another look
at what can be done at the intersection, which lies about a
quarter-mile east of the high school, 12000 W. Emigh Road.