Ask A Trooper
Published Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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Stumble It!Answer: Marie that is an excellent question for this time of year. The “normal” speeding statute is covered in 13 AAC 02.275(b) and the fines/points have been set by the Alaska Supreme Court as follows: up to 9 mph over the limit is $8 per mile over the limit, and two points against your license; 10-19 mph over the limit is still $8 per mile over the limit, but four points, and 20 mph or more over the limit is $12 per mile over the limit, plus six points against your license.
School zones, however, are different. They are covered in 13 AAC 02.325(d), and the speed limit in all marked school zones and playground crosswalks is 20 mph. Citations for speeding in a marked school zone or playground crosswalk are all six points, but the fines depend on your speed. Up to 9 mph over the limit is $12 per mile over the limit, 10-19 mph over is $14 per mile over, and over 20 mph over the limit is $16 per mile over the limit. As you can see, speeding in a school zone can very get expensive very quickly, and the six points against your license isn’t going to help your insurance rates any.
Now on to your specific question. There is no mention in the law of the school zone speed limits being in effect only when school is in session, which makes it pretty clear that they are in effect all of the time. Having said that, I would certainly hope that law enforcement officers use some common sense in applying this statute and recognize that there may be times that a particular law just doesn’t fit the circumstances.
Keep in mind however, that you have no way of knowing if “school” is in session just because it is summer. There are summer arts festivals, day camps, and a myriad of other activities that are held in and around local schools throughout the summer.
Also remember that most elementary schools have playgrounds that draw kids from around the neighborhood all summer long, including weekends. The bottom line is that even in the summer, where there are schools, there are kids, so be alert, and use good judgment.
And while I don’t have the authority to give you a blanket exemption to the school zone speed limits, if you do get a citation that you don’t think was warranted under the circumstances, you always have the right to give your side of the event before a judge. If you have questions that you would like to ask a trooper, please send them to Alaska State Troopers, 1979 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709, or you can e-mail them to Chad.Goeden@alaska.gov. The Alaska State Troopers remind you to always wear your seatbelt. It’s the law.
Community Discussion
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unless i am missing something ... the online "Ask A Trooper" articles never include the important section called "Question:" ... always begin with "Answer:" and you have to just guess what the question might have been.
I can tell you what the question was because I asked it in this case. I asked about the speed limit in School Zones. Most signs say something along the lines of speed limit 20mph while school is in session, and often they also have times, like 7am to 5pm.
My question was if these signs apply year around, or just during the normal school year, and if they do only apply during the normal school year, how do schools hosting summer school play into the situation?
In the print version, the question was included. Kind of a silly mistake.
I'm glad you asked this question. My 3 teen drivers and I had this very discussion the other day and now I get to tell them that I was not completely right, which they will translate into Mom was Wrong. Thank you Trooper Chad for this valuable service.
This is one of the best columns in the paper
Trooper G - I commend you for taking the time to respond in such a well thought out manner
I hope the fine example you set in this column is echoed throughout your department in all their dealings!
Again...Thanks!
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