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 Kentucky, the offense of speeding in a school zone is taken very seriously due to the heightened risk to children and pedestrians. Kentucky law stipulates lower speed limits in school zones during certain times, typically when children are arriving at or leaving school. 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 such as road type, weather, visibility, and the presence of children. Penalties for speeding in a school zone in Kentucky are more severe than for regular speeding offenses. They can include increased fines, which may be doubled in some cases, and points added to the driver's license. The specific penalties and fines can vary depending on the jurisdiction within the state and the driver's speed relative to the posted speed limit. It's important for drivers to be aware of and comply with posted school zone speed limits to ensure safety and avoid these enhanced penalties.