Flashing lights warn drivers of school zone speed limit

  • Lieutenant Darvin Couch, Blue Ridge Street Department Supervisor Tony Byrd, and Blue Ridge Mayor Rhonda Haight are shown with the new school zone warning lights in front of Fannin County Middle School. The city paid for the safety improvement.
    Lieutenant Darvin Couch, Blue Ridge Street Department Supervisor Tony Byrd, and Blue Ridge Mayor Rhonda Haight are shown with the new school zone warning lights in front of Fannin County Middle School. The city paid for the safety improvement.

    New, flashing warning lights have been added at the entrance/exit to Fannin County Middle School on Old Highway 76 in Blue Ridge.

    The lights warn drivers of the reduced speed limit during certain school hours.

    “These are a great improvement over the old lights,” Lieutenant Darvin Couch said after the lights were installed last Wednesday.

    Couch, a Fannin County deputy sheriff and commander of the School Resource Officers unit, said he can control the lights from his laptop computer. This allows him to turn the lights on and off as needed.

    For example, if school is being dismissed early because of snow, the lights can be activated to put the school zone speed limit into effect. Too, when school is not in session, over a break during the school year for instance, the lights can be turned off.

    “Drivers will have no doubt when the speed limit is in force,” Couch said.

    Couch expressed his appreciation to the City of Blue Ridge for paying for the lights.

    Mayor Rhonda Haight said, “The city appreciates everything the sheriff’s office does to help keep our children safe. We know this is a priority for the School Resource Officers and we’re glad to support their efforts. We must do everything we can to protect our children.”