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 Massachusetts, the offense of speeding in a school zone is taken very seriously due to the heightened risk to children. The state law, under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 17C, stipulates that the speed limit in a school zone is 20 miles per hour during school hours when children are present. Drivers caught exceeding this limit can face increased penalties compared to standard speeding violations. These penalties often include higher fines, which can be doubled for violations in a school zone, and the addition of demerit points to the driver's license. The exact fine and points can vary depending on the speed over the limit and other circumstances of the violation. Additionally, local ordinances may impose further restrictions and penalties, so it's important for drivers to be aware of the specific rules in the area they are driving.