What action is appropriate when approaching a school zone during school hours?

When approaching a school zone during school hours, it is crucial to reduce speed and be vigilant for children. During these times, children may unexpectedly enter the roadway, and they are generally less aware of their surroundings, making them more vulnerable. Lowering your speed increases your reaction time, allowing you to respond more effectively if a child enters the street unexpectedly.

Additionally, school zones often have lower speed limits to provide an extra layer of safety when children are present. This reduced speed limit is typically displayed with clear signage to remind drivers of their responsibility to drive safely in areas where children are likely to cross the street.

The context of why maintaining normal speed or speeding up is not appropriate stems from the need to prioritize safety over efficiency. In school zones, the presence of children mandates that drivers approach with caution, regardless of surrounding traffic pressures. Stopping only when crossing guards are present overlooks the fact that children may be crossing at times when no guards are available, thus increasing the risk of accidents.