Back to School, Back to Fines: Speeding in School Zones and Your Insurance Rates

Speeding in School Zones

Children are unpredictable. Children walking or biking to school may dart out in front of cars and not be super visible when they do it. Drivers traveling at higher speeds might not have the time to react, leading to a tragedy. School zones and crossing guards are thus established as important safety measures. 

School zones typically are active during a set period around a school’s opening and closing times. The speed limits are typically 20 miles per hour but vary based on location and the type of road. Due to the potentially tragic consequences, speeding in a school zone typically results in a substantial fine. This varies by state, but is often greater than a typical speeding ticket. 

In addition to the cost of the ticket, you are also likely to get dinged on your insurance. Moving violations can affect your insurance rates for up to three years after the incident. 

Key Points:

• Getting a ticket for speeding in a school zone raises your insurance by an average of 23% or $512 a year.
• Where you live impacts how much your insurance rates will increase. California sees the largest increase in speeding ticket violations at an average of 42%. New York sees the smallest increase at only 7%.

See the table below to see the difference between having a ticket for speeding in a school zone versus having no violations on your record. 

Passing a School Bus

School buses are more than just vehicles; they’re moving safety zones designed to protect children. And when they stop to pick up kids or let them out, the same unpredictability of running kids applies as with school zones. That’s why strict laws exist across the United States regulating when drivers must stop for a school bus.

In every state, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. These signals mean children are boarding or getting off the bus, and they may be crossing the street. Drivers approaching from both directions are usually required to stop on two-lane roads. A common exception, that varies by state, is if a median or physical barrier separates the road. In this case, drivers traveling in the opposite direction don’t have to stop. 

As with speeding in school zones, passing a school bus illegally can have hefty fines associated with it. And again, the cost of the ticket is just the beginning because it will impact your insurance costs for years. 

Key Points:

• Getting a ticket for passing a school bus raises your insurance by an average of 27% or $612 a year.
• When it comes to passing in a school zone, some states see huge insurance cost hikes. In North Carolina and Connecticut, this can lead to increases in your insurance of more than 80%!

The chart below shows the difference in your state between having a ticket for passing a school bus and having no violations on your record. 

Staying Safe with Back to School

Now more than ever, it’s important to slow down and put your full focus on driving when you’re on the road.

While the average number of child pedestrian fatalities has decreased in recent years, the numbers haven’t decreased as quickly for the 12–19 age range. In fact, five teen pedestrians are killed each week while walking in school zones.^[3]

In addition to following all posted signs and speed limits and not passing buses, here are some more tips to keep children safe when driving near schools:

• Never double park in a school zone, as it can obstruct visibility for children and other vehicles and disrupt the natural flow of traffic.
• Always be alert! Kids can be unpredictable and may dart out in front of your car.
• Never block a crosswalk when stopped at a red light. It can force walkers to go around you and into the path of traffic. 
• Always yield to pedestrians in a school zone. 
• For parents: Don’t unload your kids on a busy street. Know your school’s safe drop-off and pick-up procedures