When behind the wheel, it may be easy to lose track of your surroundings, including important signage. Christine Miller is on a mission to remind all drivers to keep an eye out and slow down in school zones.
Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences sits off South Palm Avenue in Palatka. On either side of the street, there are 20 miles per hour speed limit signs and flashing lights indicating a school zone.
However, Miller said those signs do not stop people from speeding along South Palm Avenue.
“Not everyone slows down, but a lot of people do even if it’s just to read the sign,” Miller said.
Christine Miller said it only took about five minutes to grab a piece of cardboard and some stickers to create a simple "slow down, school zone" sign.
The message behind the sign is something Christine Miller hopes makes a lasting impression.
“The vehicles that go down through here go very fast and I just want to draw attention,” Miller said.
Miller got tired of seeing car speeding while picking up her two grandchildren, so she made the sign and grabbed her whistle.
“I don’t want one of the kids to walk out and get hit and somebody is like, well I didn’t even know, well there are signs, there’s flashing lights that tell you it’s a school zone,” Miller said. “I get off of work, I change, I come out here.”
The plan was for one day, but Miller’s been out there every day for over a week and said it is not just cars flying by, but minivans and trucks.
“Really what it all boils down to is paying attention, because the caution lights are there the school zone signs are there,” Miller said.
A handful of cars slowed when our cameras were there, some even honking and waving.
“It lets me know, they see my sign,” Miller said.
She is thankful to Palatka Police for monitoring the area. Miller said she noticed police issuing tickets in the area the last few days while she was out there.
Palatka Police told First Coast News the department has not seen an increase in speeding or accidents near S. Palm Avenue, but do monitor the area as part of their regular traffic duties.
While Miller applauds law enforcement, Steve Jones applauds her effort.
“I drive a bus every day and I see this happening in school zones, all over town where people are very reckless, there speeding and especially through a school zone like this, we should do something about it, it’s good to see someone taking an active role in trying to slow people down,” Jones said.
Miller said drivers can count she will continue to be there until she is sure they get the message.
“For every five cars that slow down, you know that makes me feel good, it makes me feel like the kids are a little safer,” Miller said.
A reminder for us all to remember.
“I know one person can’t make a difference, but I’m going to do the best I can,” Miller said.