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 Arizona, the offense of speeding in a school zone is taken very seriously due to the heightened risk to children and pedestrians. Arizona state statutes specifically address speeding in school zones, typically mandating lower speed limits during certain times when children are likely to be present, such as when school is beginning or ending, or during lunchtime. The exact speed limit can vary, but it is often significantly reduced from the standard limit for the area. Drivers are expected to exercise additional caution under various conditions including road type, weather, visibility, and the presence of children. Penalties for violating school zone speed limits in Arizona are typically more severe than for standard speeding violations. They can include higher fines, which may be doubled in school zones, and the addition of demerit points to the driver's license. In some cases, depending on the severity of the offense or repeat violations, drivers may face additional penalties such as increased insurance rates, traffic school requirements, or even suspension of their driver's license.