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 Washington State, the offense of speeding in a school zone is taken very seriously due to the heightened risk to children. The basic rule is that drivers must obey the posted speed limits, which are typically 20 miles per hour in school zones during school hours when children are present. These limits are enforced on school days, usually beginning 30 minutes before school starts and ending 30 minutes after school concludes. The law considers various conditions such as road characteristics, weather, visibility, and the presence of children. The penalties for speeding in a school zone in Washington are indeed higher than for non-school zone violations. Fines are doubled in school zones, and these infractions also add demerit points to the driver's record. The specific statutes governing this offense can be found in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and local municipalities may have additional ordinances that further regulate driving behavior in school zones.