How slow do I have to go in school zones in Missouri? When does it apply? See the laws
Schools across Missouri welcomed back their studentsin recent weeks, so drivers should remember to be aware when they’re going through a school zone.
Special speed limits are posted around school zones while schools are in session for the safety of the children and teenagers going to and from the building. The zone is usually found on the streets along the school and the area one to two blocks around the building. The typical speed limit ranges from 15 to 25 mph, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reported 991 fatal car crashes in 2023. The most common cause of fatalities was aggressive driving, which includes speeding.
Car crashes are also a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old in the United States, according to MoDOT.
Road diets, infrastructure designed to support cycling and pedestrian activity and traffic calming measures can all help reduce crash rates, the FHWA says. But regardless of roadway infrastructure, drivers should keep everyone safe by following speed limit laws.
Here’s what Missouri state law says about driving through school zones and when those reduced speed limits apply.
Is there a statewide school zone speed limit in Missouri?
There is no statewide law that requires a standard school zone speed limit in Missouri. Instead, it’s up to counties and cities to establish the school zone’s speed limits.
The speed limit in school zones in Kansas City varies by location and it’s illegal for a driver to go past the limit while it’s active.
The signs posted will say when it’s active, but the speed limits usually apply 30 minutes before school opens to 30 minutes after school ends on weekdays. The speed limits only apply when school is in session.
Signs are also posted saying when drivers are in and out of a school zone.
Going over the speed limit, even by 1 mph, is a violation of the law in Missouri. If you are caught speeding in a school zone, you will fined between $350 to $500. You could also find yourself in jail for up to six months, according to the Kansas City ordinance.
School zone speed limits are 20 mph in Springfield and Platte City. They’re 25 mph in Raytown and St. Louis County.
