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 Ohio, the offense of speeding in a school zone is taken very seriously due to the heightened risk to children. The state law, under Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21, sets forth specific speed limits for school zones, typically 20 miles per hour during recess or while children are going to or leaving school during the opening or closing hours. The exact times when the reduced speed limit is in effect are usually indicated by signs. Drivers must adhere to these limits and adjust their speed according to the conditions of the road, weather, visibility, and the presence of children. Penalties for speeding in a school zone in Ohio are indeed more severe than for general speeding offenses. They can include increased fines, which may be doubled for violations in a school zone, and points added to the driver's license. In some cases, depending on the severity of the offense, a driver could also face a suspension of their driving privileges.