---

Speeding in School Zones

Speeding is defined as driving over the posted legal speed limit or at a speed that is unsafe for current conditions, such as the weather and the road environment [1]. It remains a leading cause of traffic fatalities [2].

Speeding in School Zones Across the U.S.

• According to the Transportation Research Board, there are 25,000 children injured annually and an average 100 killed every year while walking to or from school [3].
• From 2013 to 2022 alone, 198 school-age children died in school-transportation related traffic crashes, 76 of which were pedestrians [4].

Speeding in School Zones in Nevada

• In a 2024 Southern and Northern Nevada school zone speed study, only 34% of drivers followed school zone speed limits at 15 Nevada schools [5]. 
• In 2024 alone, 138 students commuting on foot to and from public schools in Clark County were involved in pedestrian-vehicle crashes [6]. 

The Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 484B.363 sets the speed limit in designated school zones at 15 miles per hour and 25 miles per hour in school crossing zones [7]. 

To learn more about the impact of speeding, refer to our previous TREND 14.1

---

This TREND investigates the demographic and citation information of non-adjudicated Nevada speeding citations in school zones from 2018 to 2021, with a focus on citations for exceeding posted school zone speed limits. It is important to note that this analysis is purely descriptive and no cause and effect conclusions should be drawn from the findings.

Overview

Between 2018 and 2021, law enforcement agencies in Nevada issued a total of 1,425,762 citations. Of the total, 759,338 citations (53.3%) were for speeding, with 13,789 (1.8%) specifically for violations in school zones.

Among the urban counties, Clark County accounted for the majority of school zone citations (9,144; 66.3%), followed by Washoe County (2,585; 18.7%) and Carson City (940, 6.8%). Among the rural counties, Nye County had the highest number of citations (532; 3.9%), followed by Lyon county (203; 1.5%), and Douglas County (135; 1.0%).

Driver Demographics

The median age of drivers cited for speeding in a school zone was 37 years old (IQR: 27–52). The breakdown of citations by age is as follows:

• <16 years: 12 (0.1%)
• 16-20 years: 1,295 (9.4%) 
• 21-25 years: 1,641 (11.9%)
• 26–30 years: 1,782 (12.9%) 
• 31–35 years: 1,663 (12.1%) 
• 36-40 years: 1,496 (10.8%)
• 41-45 years: 1,195 (8.7%)
• 46-50 years: 1,035 (7.5%) 
• 51-55 years: 877 (6.4%)
• 56-60 years: 820 (5.9%)
• 61-65 years: 691 (5.0%)
• Over 65 years: 1,281 (9.3%)

Speeding citations issued in school zones by race/ethnicity:

• White: 7,041 (51.1%)
• Hispanic: 2,534 (18.4%)
• Black/African American: 2,087 (15.1%)
• Asian: 770 (5.6%)
• Native American: 95 (0.7%)
• Hawaiian Pacific Islander: 6 (0.0%)
• Unknown: 1,252 (9.1%)

---

Citation Information

The majority of speeding citations issued in school zones were on weekdays, with the highest number of citations being issued on Tuesdays (3,144; 22.8%) and Thursdays (2,950; 21.4%) (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Speeding Citations issued in School Zones by Day of the Week

---

The highest number of citations were issued during 8:00 AM – 11:59 AM (3,983; 43.1%), followed by 12 PM – 3:59 PM (3,392; 36.7%) (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Speeding Citations issued in School Zones by Time Block

---

The most common speeding citation issued was for exceeding the limit by 1–10 MPH (8,840; 64.1%) citations. Notably, there were a significant number of citations (3,737; 27.1%) issued for going 11-20 MPH over the speed limit (Figure 3). 

Figure 3. Speeding Citations Issued in School Zones by Speed Category

---

Key Takeaways 

• Slow Down – It’s worth a life! Lower vehicle speeds increase child pedestrian safety and reduce incidences of preventable injuries and fatalities.
• Always be alert and attentive to the posted school zone traffic control signs and flashing beacons.
• Obey the Traffic Laws!
  • School zones in Nevada are 15 mph.
  • School crossing zones in Nevada are 25 mph.
• Reduced speed limits in school zones and school crossing zones are in effect 30 minutes before and after school.

Protect Our Kids: Respect the School Zone Speed Limits! 

---

Next Steps

• Educational and outreach efforts to inform the public on school zone laws and the consequences of speeding are essential to promote road safety.
• Efforts geared towards increasing compliance to posted speed limits in school zones and school crossing zones, such as higher fines for speeding.
• Installing signs with flashing beacons in school zones and school crossing zones to indicate reduced speed limit enforcement times may also increase compliance and promote road safety.

---

References

1. Federal Highway Administration. Speed Management: A Manual for Local Rural Road Owners. 2012. https://highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/2022-06/speedmanagementguide.pdf  
2. National Safety Council. 2018. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/speeding/
3. News 6. 100 Students Die Walking To, From, School Each Year, Research Shows. 2022. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2019/08/06/100-students-die-walking-to-from-school-each-year-research-shows/
4. U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – National Center for Statistics and Analysis. Traffic Safety Facts, 2013-2022 Data. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/Publication/813600
5. Center for Advanced Transportation Education and Research. School zone speed study in Nevada. 2024. https://zerofatalitiesnv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/School-Zone-Speed-Study-Report-2024-11-26-FinalVersion-1.pdf
6. KSNV News 3, Las Vegas. CCSD sees a spike in student injuries; police traffic unit increasing staff. 2024. https://news3lv.com/news/local/school-district-sees-a-spike-in-student-injuries-traffic-unit-scrambles-to-enforce-laws
7. Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). School zone or school crossing zone (NRS 484B.363). Accessed June 26, 2025. https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-484b.html#NRS484BSec363

---

NV Law Enforcement Non-Adjudicated Traffic Citation Data was obtained from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. This research was made possible by a grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety #TS-2025-UNLV-09

---