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 Wisconsin, the offense of speeding in a school zone is addressed under state statutes, specifically in section 346.57(4) of the Wisconsin Statutes. This section stipulates that no person shall drive a vehicle in excess of 15 miles per hour when passing a school building or the school grounds during school hours when children are present and going to or leaving school during the opening or closing hours. The law also requires that appropriate signage be posted to indicate the beginning and end of the school zone. Penalties for speeding in a school zone in Wisconsin are indeed more severe than for non-school zone violations. They include increased fines and the assessment of demerit points on the driver's license. The exact fine and number of points can vary depending on the speed at which the driver is caught and any previous driving offenses. Additionally, local ordinances may impose further restrictions and penalties, so it is important for drivers to be aware of the specific laws in their municipality.