Michigan School Zone Speed Limit Laws: What You Need To Know
The Michigan school zone speed limit is generally set 20 mph below the normally posted speed limit, but by law, it cannot be lower than 25 mph under MCL 257.627a.
- Standard Hours: Enforced 30 minutes before classes start and 30 minutes after dismissal.
- New 60-Minute Exception: If passed, under Michigan House Bill 5651, school superintendents could extend the enforcement periods described above from a maximum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 60 minutes.
- Superintendent Flexibility: Current law already lets superintendents adjust these enforcement windows, starting the pre-school period later than 30 minutes before session, delaying the post-dismissal start time, or designating an off-campus lunch period as an enforcement window.
- Zone Boundaries: Appears on school property and extends up to 1,000 feet from the school’s boundary line.
- Speeding Penalties: Standard violations carry points and doubled traffic fines. However, newly implemented automated stop-arm bus cameras and work zone cameras carry a civil fine up to $500 with zero license points.
- Lunch Periods: Superintendents can designate an off-campus lunch period as a school zone speed limit enforcement period under current law, if students are permitted to leave school property and cross adjacent roadways.
- Flashing Beacon Rule: Look for flashing yellow beacons on school zone warning signs, when those lights are active, the reduced speed limit is legally in effect and mandatory.
To learn more about our state’s school zone speed limit laws, check out WZZM TV 13’s interview with Michigan Auto Law attorney Brandon Hewitt:
Michigan school zone laws: general restrictions in addition to speed limits
- No passing: Always check local municipal ordinances, as many Michigan jurisdictions strictly prohibit overtaking moving vehicles within active school zones.
- Right of way: Drivers must come to a complete stop for pedestrians and obey all hand-held stop signs deployed by school crossing guards under MCL 257.613a.
- Bus stops: You must stop at least 20 feet away from any school bus operating flashing red lights, whether you are approaching from the front or rear, unless separated by a physical highway barrier.
What is the speed limit in a school zone in Michigan?
In Michigan, the speed limit in a school zone is generally no more than 20 miles per hour lower than the “normally posted” limit on that stretch of road. However, it will not go below 25 mph. (MCL 257.627a(2))
Is there a minimum speed limit for a school zone in Michigan?
The slowest speed limit that can be set for a school zone is 25 mph. (MCL 257.627a(2))
What is a school zone?
A “school zone” includes the property on which the school building is located and 1,000 feet from the school property line in any direction. (MCL 257.627a(1)(c))
When does the school zone speed limit apply?
In Michigan, the school zone speed limit generally applies during the 30-minute period before school starts in the morning and during the 30-minute period after school lets out in the afternoon. (MCL 257.627a(2))
Is violating the permitted speed a criminal offense?
Under Michigan’s Vehicle Code, violating the permitted speed is a “civil infraction.” (MCL 257.627a(7))
Fines
Normally, the fine for speeding is $100. (MCL 257.907(2)(a)) However, the fine for speeding in a school zone is doubled to $200. A “moving violation” such as this offense “is subject to a fine that is double the fine otherwise prescribed for that moving violation.” (MCL 257.601b(1))
Points on license
In Michigan, depending on how much over the speed limit you are going in a school zone, you could get between 1 and 4 points on your driver’s license. If your speeding in a school zone results in an at-fault crash, then you could get 4 points on your license and you will likely get sued by the injured person.
Here are more details about the points that can be put on your driver’s license for driving over the permitted speed:
- 4 points for exceeding the permitted speed “by more than 15 miles per hour.” (MCL 257.320a(1)(h))
- 4 points for a “moving violation” such as speeding in a school zone that results “in an at-fault collision with another vehicle, a person, or any other object.” (MCL 257.320a(1)(l))
- 3 points for exceeding the school zone speed limit “by more than 10 miles per hour but not more than 15 miles per hour.” (MCL 257.320a(1)(n))
- 2 points for exceeding the school zone speed limit “by more than 5 miles per hour but not more than 10 miles per hour.” (MCL 257.320a(1)(p))
- 1 point for exceeding the school zone speed limit by “more than 1 mile per hour but not more than 5 miles per hour.” (MCL 257.320a(1)(q))
What happens if I violate the speed limit in a school zone and I injure someone?
In Michigan, if you are exceeding the school zone speed limit by more than 10 mph and you injure or kill someone in the school zone, then you may be found guilty of a crime and forced to pay a fine and/or possibly be sent to jail or prison.
Injuring a person is a misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail. (MCL 257.601b(2))
Taking the life of someone is a felony which is punishable by a fine up to $7,500 and/or up to 15 years in prison. (MCL 257.601b(3))
Injured by a Michigan driver who violated the school zone speed limit? Call Michigan Auto Law now!
If you or a loved one was injured by a driver who violated the school zone speed limit in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.
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Written By
Steve M. Gursten,
Attorney,
License#: P53632
Steven Gursten, attorney at Michigan Auto Law and one of the most successful auto accident attorneys in Michigan. Michigan Auto Law represents people seriously injured in car, truck, motorcycle, and bus accidents, including catastrophic injury, traumatic brain injury, and No-Fault insurance cases. Steven has recovered the largest reported auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer, and has been named Michigan Lawyer of the Year and a Top 50 Michigan Super Lawyer.
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