What should you do when driving through a school zone during posted times?

• A. Slow to the posted school-zone speed limit and watch for children.
• B. Maintain the normal speed and ignore children.
• C. Stop completely at all times, regardless of traffic.
• D. Accelerate through quickly to minimize time in zone.

Answer: (A)

When you drive through a school zone during the posted times, you must slow to the reduced speed limit and stay alert for children who may unexpectedly enter the roadway. The idea is to give yourself enough time to react if a child darts into or near the street, and to protect people moving around bus stops and crosswalks. This isn’t just safer—it’s typically required by law in many areas, with higher fines for violations in school zones.

Choosing to keep normal speed would create a bigger risk to kids and can lead to a ticket. Stopping completely at all times isn’t necessary or practical and could cause traffic issues or crashes. Accelerating through to minimize time in the zone ignores the purpose of the speed limit and endangers children.

So, slow down to the posted school-zone limit, scan for children, and be prepared to stop for pedestrians, crossing guards, or buses.