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A speed limit sign entering a school zone, along with a warning light above, in Calabasas, California.

A school zone refers to a area on a street near a school or near a crosswalk leading to a school generally with a reduced speed limit. The signs warn drivers of the presence or likely presence of student pedestrians so they can drive appropriately.

Fines for speeding in school zones may be enhanced. For example, many states double speeding fines in school zones. In Texas, overtaking a vehicle is prohibited when school zone times are in effect.

An Australian school zone sign, locked up during school holidays to denote the use of normal speeds.

School zone speed limits are often, but not always, only applicable during posted weekday hours near the beginning and ending of school when children are likely to cross roads. In some places, the school zone speed limit is effective at all times when school is in session, plus additional time before and after the school day. Flashing amber lights often indicate when the school zone is effective. When a school zone also has a large playground facility, it may double as a playground zone and the speed limit could be in effect longer - or at all times of day, every day.

School zones may also sometimes be in effect during school holidays, due to holiday programmes that use school premises. In some locations however, school zone signs will be locked up during school holidays so that motorists can drive to the normal speed limit.

School zones typically have speed limits between 15 and 25 mph (25 and 40 km/h).

There are suggestions that school zones may not be effective in reducing traffic speeds or in reducing road casualties. In a review of the available research, the Committee for Guidance on Setting and Enforcing Speed Limits of the Transportation Research Board, part of the United States National Research Council, stated: ^[1]

Studies of the effectiveness of school zone limits, however, have generally found poor driver compliance, particularly when the limits are set very low, and no relationship between pedestrian crashes and the special limits

1. ^ (1998) Managing Speed: Review of Current Practice for Setting and Enforcing Speed Limits (PDF), pp 102. ISBN 0-309-06502-X.