I got a ticket for doing 30 in a 15 mph school zone. I don't think the signs were properly located.?

Question

The slowing down distance for the speed limit sign to the cross walk is four houses. These houses are small and are close together. In addition to this, the morning sun is located directly in front of you as you are driving down the street. What is the general rule for seeing the signs and having adequate time to slow down once you see the speed limit sign. Should the sun be accounted for as far as effecting your vision like glare for example. Also, should this school zone crossing even be considered to be in a school zone if it is two blocks over and the 15 mph speed limit isn't enforced on the streets between the school and the crossing?

Answer 1

How often have you traveled that particular street at that particular time? If it is often, then you need to anticipate that the school is there and that there will be a speed limit. You can check out local zoning laws and measure where the signs are, if it's worth it.

Answer 2

The problem with fighting a ticket is that you save little to no money but the benefit is that it stays off your driving record especially since it was in a school zone.
My husband got a ticket for speeding in a school zone and we fought it because the ticket was issued 15 minutes before the school zone time was to be in effect.
He had to write a letter to the courts stating this and send a copy of the ticket.
The ticket was dropped and not put on his record but we still had to pay court cost.
Best to call and speak to a clerk at the courthouse and explain what happened and see what is the best way to handle your situation.
If I were you if they require you to write a letter or go to court I would take pictures of the signs and where you were stopped at.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Was the school built yesterday? You should slow down around a school with or without a mark zone. How would you feel running over a six year old. If you can't see the school zone signs, then you probably won't see the kids.

Answer 4

You should have been looking far enough ahead to see the sign earlier. If conditions prevented you from seeing the sign earlier, you should have been going slower in the first place. The goverment tells road crews where to put the signs, and there is no chance that a judge will side with you on this issue. This would be like saying the yellow light wasn't on long enough before it turned red. It's like arguing with a brick wall.

Answer 5

Sounds like you know the area. Therefore, you would have known the limit without the signs. And if you go to court saying that the sun was too bright to adequately see, then they'll indicate that you weren't using proper care, as you couldn't see and should have been going slower.

Just pay the ticket.

Answer 6

Because you have never ever driven that road before? And they just put that school in over night? You knew the law and you broke it. Maybe next time you will give a BREAK to the school zone.

Answer 7

well in ohio the school zones are painted on the roads, so you can't miss them. and it's 20 mph..i think 15 is too slow anyway

Answer 8

Yes - prima facie speed laws are always in effect in school zones not matter if they are posted or not. Same for residential neighborhoods (25mph unless posted otherwise).

Answer 9

get some sunglasses, slow the hell down in school zones and pay the ticket.

Answer 10

i think every ticket has a reason cause my mom and dad were police officers... but i think u got your ticket cauze u were soposed 2 be the one to tell your neighbor hood or the police and maybe u could stop someone in the future.