The Speed Limit For Driving Near Children And In School Zones

The speed limit is the maximum driving pace permitted by law for specific hours, areas, and under specific circumstances. Speed limit signs are often placed strategically to inform or remind the driver to slow down to ensure safety. There are traffic laws for driving in school zones and this includes school zone speed limits. What is the maximum permitted velocity for school zones?

School zone speed limit differs from state to state but is usually between 15 - 25 miles per hour (MPH) for most US states.

The History of Speed Limits in America

The earliest speeding laws can be traced back to 1652 and were issued by New York (then New Amsterdam). The law stated that non-motorized vehicles like wagons, carts, and sleighs could not be run, rode, or driven at a gallop. Drivers who defaulted paid fines starting at two pounds Flemish, equivalent to $150 today.

In 1901, Connecticut passed a law that limited the legal velocity of motor vehicles to 12 MPH in cities and 15 MPH on country roads. In 1903, New York City introduced America’s first comprehensive traffic code.

In the early 1970s, fuel prices rose significantly, influencing many American states to adopt speed limit laws to save costs. As a result, President Richard Nixon (1969 - 1974), the 37th president of the United States agreed to a national standard of 55 miles per hour.

Later, in the 1980s, fuel cost became less of an issue, so the national interstate speed limit was increased to 65 MPH. Because of the debate on whether the peak velocity should be an issue of freedom or regulation, the US Congress allowed individual states to decide the maximum permitted pace on roads.

Why Speed Limits For Driving Near Children And School Zones?

School zones have a high population of students, especially during school hours when schools are in session. School zone signs are usually erected in almost all school zones to ensure that drivers practice safe driving in a school district where many kids are naive about road usage and traffic rules.

Some school zone signs have yellow flashing lights, which serve as warning signs to alert drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. It is usually used to warn drivers of school zones or a pedestrian crossing ahead. Red flashing lights are used in place of yellow lights as a complete stop sign.

In school zones with no traffic signs, traffic officers are usually present to enforce the school speed limits and penalize any driver who defaults. Reduced speed in school zones results in increased traffic, especially on a school day, and the traffic officers also must make such situations as safe as they can be when children are present.

School zone maximum velocity rules also apply to school bus drivers. The limit for school buses is between 35 MPH - 60 MPH outside school zones, although the normal school zone speed limit still applies when driving in school zones.

Even when schools are not in session and there seem to be no kids on the street, make sure to obey exactly what the traffic signs say.

Speed Limits For Driving Near Children And In School Zones By State

The range of legal top speed for a school zone in the US is between 15 - 25 miles per hour (MPH) for most states.

States With 15 MPH Speed Limits

Arizona, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Nevada, Maine, South Dakota, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Connecticut.

States With 20 MPH Speed Limits

Texas, Florida, Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Utah, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, Nebraska, Illinois, South Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Massachusetts.

States With 25 MPH Speed Limits

California, Hawaii, Vermont, Montana, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, and New York.

Why You Should Obey Restriction Rules In School Zones

Children’s safety

Even when there seems to be no sign of children around a school zone, drivers are advised to adhere strictly to the law. Most pedestrians in a school zone are students who are small children and might not be easily noticed by a driver from a distance. A child might even dart out unexpectedly.

Speeding makes it more challenging to slow down in such cases.

Speeding Tickets And Fines

Tickets and fines for a school zone are usually higher than the regular ones. In most states, tickets are issued when you go 5 - 10 MPH above the permitted limit. Some other states issue tickets even with an excess of 1 MPH.

Higher Insurance Premiums

More offenses on your driving record translate to higher insurance premiums, especially in school zones.

Safety Tips And Tricks For Driving In School Zones

Below are some school zone safety tips you’ll find helpful to drive safely in a school zone.

1. Do not ignore warning signs.
2. Obey crossing guards. Although crossing guards are not licensed to issue a ticket or fine (except for those who are law enforcement officers), you can be reported to the police.
3. Be extra patient. Most pedestrians in school zones are small kids who are crossing the street by themselves for the first time, so they may be slow and clumsy. If you have an appointment, keep possible increased traffic in mind to avoid rushing.
4. Pay attention to school bus zones where drivers are loading or unloading children, and try to stay away from drop-off zones as much as possible.
5. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition. A school zone is the worst place to experience vehicle maintenance issues like brake failure.

The Role Of Parents In Keeping Children Safe In School Zones

Parents have a significant role to play in ensuring the safety of their children in school zones. Children need to be taught essential lessons like:

1. Cross at stop signs and crosswalks instead of jaywalking.
2. Make eye contact with drivers and wait until they stop before crossing.
3. Wait for crossing guards to halt traffic before attempting to cross.
4. Older students should be taught to avoid using cell phones and other forms of distractions.
5. Children should be taught the importance of paying attention while walking on or near the road.

Parents should teach their children simple traffic signs and also ensure that they go to pick up kids who are too small to go home themselves.