The infraction or offense of speeding in a school zone is committed when the driver of a motor vehicle in a marked school zone exceeds the posted speed limit or exceeds the speed limit that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances or conditions—conditions such as the road (straight, curved, wet, dry, icy, flat, hilly); the weather (clear, foggy, raining, snowing); the visibility; and the presence of children in a crosswalk, for example.

Laws regarding speeding in a school zone vary from state to state and among cities and towns and are usually located in a state’s statutes and sometimes in local ordinances enacted by cities or towns.

The penalty for speeding in a school zone is usually a fine and demerit points added to the driver’s license or driving record. But the fines and penalties for speeding in a school zone are usually much greater than for a typical speeding ticket or citation.

In Kansas, the offense of speeding in a school zone is taken very seriously due to the heightened risk to children. The state's traffic laws dictate that drivers must adhere to the posted speed limits within school zones, which are typically lower than other areas to ensure the safety of children. These limits are especially enforced during the times when children are arriving at or leaving school. If a driver exceeds the speed limit in a school zone, they may face increased fines and additional demerit points on their driving record compared to standard speeding violations. The exact penalties can vary depending on the jurisdiction within Kansas, but they are generally more severe to deter speeding in such sensitive areas. It's important for drivers to be aware of and comply with the specific speed limits when driving through school zones to avoid these enhanced penalties and to protect the safety of schoolchildren.