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 South Carolina, the offense of speeding in a school zone is taken very seriously due to the heightened risk to children and pedestrians. The state's traffic laws dictate that drivers must adhere to the posted speed limits within school zones, which are typically lower during school hours when children are arriving or departing. The specific speed limits and times of enforcement can be found in the South Carolina Code of Laws and may also be supplemented by local ordinances. Penalties for speeding in a school zone in South Carolina are more severe than for standard speeding violations. They often include increased fines, which can be double the usual amount, and the accumulation of points on the driver's license. Accumulating points can lead to higher insurance premiums and, with enough points, the suspension of driving privileges. The exact fine and points depend on how much the driver exceeded the speed limit and other circumstances of the violation.