Jurisdiction

Any City or County, Arizona

Speed Trap Location

School Zones

Nearest Reference Point

n/a

GPS Coordinates

n/a

Time of Day

Any time of day

Level of Enforcement

Moderate

Type of Enforcement

Radar, Laser, Vascar, Photo, Unknown

Date

8/2003

School Zone Speed enforcement. The school zones are strictly enforced in Arizona and the cost STARTS at $185 per mile over the speed limit in the school zone, then you can add the EXTRAS that Arizona seems to find every where so you can expect about a $500 ticket for doing 16 in a 15 MPH zone. These zones are only about 100' feet long and start at the temperary sign in the street and end as soon as you cross the well marked crosswalk where you can resume your previous speed. ALSO DO NOT PASS A CAR OR TRUCK in the next lane if there is more than 1 lane, even if they are stopped to make a left or right turn BEFORE the crosswalk. After the crosswalk you can pass without problem. Arizona even hands tickets out to school bus drivers on this one, I have seen 2 of my former friends that drove bus along side of me get tickets for speed and or passing in these zones.

Comment (4/2004): This isn't a speed trap. You should watch for the flashing light 25 mph school zone sign and keep your speed down to 25 until you see the "end school zone" sign. Where the portable sign says 15 mph, do 15 (or as should be obvious - less if congestion warrants it) until you are out of the school zone. I have stopped for people in well marked crosswalks only to see people go around me and nearly hit pedestrians. They have to enforce speed restrictions at schools because some people don't seem to recognize that children, our most precious resource, are in danger whenever cars are speeding in the school zones. My daughter, husband and I were nearly hit in a crosswalk when leaving an after school function at her school and after we made it to the other side and turned to walk down the sidewalk we witnessed another close call for another family. I have noticed a total lack of understanding about crosswalks since moving to this state and have a hard time understanding why some people don't seem to realize if they hit a human being with their vehicle there is no contest which one will lose. Please everyone, be more aware of what your car can do if you use it recklessly.

Comment (6/2004): I lived in Santa Cruz County California,when the speed limits around all schools were 15. This was quickly overturned to be 25mph which is what it is to this day. I think 15mph is moronic. Everyone knows children are in school during school hours. Has any child been hit recently? I think there are more idiots running our government that don't have anything better to do but make up stupid rules, of which this 15 mph is one of them Before you say, oh, that is fine it is obvious this person has no children. Let me dissuade you, I have two. My children have been taught to look both ways, and not to cross the street without a crossing guard!

Comment (6/2004): I just got a ticket in one of these scool zone speed traps, which IS what they are. The street posted speed limit is 25. There is a lime green sign which shows a drawing of two people walking and has an arrow pointing down but NO indication of a speed limit below 25 mph,,,no mention of any speed limit reduction...the signs just before and after this crossing say "speed limit 25". I got a ticket for going 22 miles per hour in what appears to be a 25 mph zone. THIS DEFINITELY IS A CLASSIC SPEED TRAP OF DECEPTION AND POLICE ODFFICERS MANNING THESE PORTABLE SPEED TRAPS KNOW IT.

Comment (12/2004): gee, for a state that allows a 75 mph speed limit on rural interstates, they only allow 25 mph on a city street, mind bending isn't it

Comment (2/2005): These school zone 15 mph limits are nothing more than a revenue generator for the government. I moved to Arizona from California where the school zone speed limit is 25 mph. 25 mph is reasonable. If the Arizona government was so concerned about safety they should launch a campaign to educate people including children where and how to cross a street safely. But then, they would be spending money and not making it. My only advice is to spend the $300 to $400 and buy a good radar detector such as the Escort Passport 8500 or the Valentine. Make sure to read the directions and understand the different chirps it makes and what they stand for. Good luck my fellow drivers.

Comment (2/2005): I am a native AZ and believe these school zones are there for a reason. Growing up, even with the 15 MPH school zone in place, I saw a classmate get hit while crossing the street. I moved to Roswell, NM for about 6 years, and they have school zones that can range for 500 ft to over 1 mile with flashing lights. If you are caugt going over 20 in these zones, you will get ticketed. At least in AZ, you can resume your speed after your rear tire crosses the last line of the crosswalk.