Cookeville is adding a new school zone on South Maple Avenue and on England Drive to slow traffic and improve safety at the new Highland Rim Academy location.
Cookeville Police Chief Scott Winfree said traffic has picked up in that area since Highland Rim moved. Winfree said adding a school zone will make student drop-off and pickup times safer.
“Well, it makes everyone aware that there is a school there, and that being a new one, some people may not be aware of it just driving through,” Winfree said. “So, like I said, it makes the people driving through aware that it exists.”
Winfree said Highland Rim has purchased signs to mark the new school zone.
“The school may, in the future, purchase the flashing signs, the flashing lights, but that will be up to them,” Winfree said. “But again, they would purchase those from the city.”
Winfree said the school has to pay for signs to set up a school zone. Winfree said there will not be any additional patrolling to enforce the school zone.
“We have had some directive patrols in just that area, even before the school started, because we have had some speeders on South Maple,” Winfree said. “We have some directive patrols and traffic enforcement just up and down that area to begin with. So it won’t necessarily be extra patrolling, but expect to see some officers in the area, and that’s just been routine.”
Winfree said the new school zone will be something that some drivers may have to get used to. Winfree said the safety of children is a priority to the city and the police department.
South Maple Avenue has long been a concern for speeders, cutting from Highway 111 to Neal Street. Police have used increased enforcement and signage in the area.
