Speeding Ticket in School Zone in Washington State

[bibendum59]

My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: Washington


First, I want to thank all the people who have posted here in the past. I just discovered this site and it is a fantastic resource. I've been reading through other postings and I've found tons of great information already.

Last week my wife received a ticket for doing 38 mph in a 20 mph school zone in Lakewood, Washington. She is an elementary school teacher and would never intentionally speed, but in this case she just didn't notice the school zone sign with the flashing lights. The normal speed limit on this road is 35 mph.


On the ticket that she received, the officer noted RCW 46.61.440. I found the details here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.440

This school zone has signs with flashing lights denoting the beginning of the school zone. This is on a main 4-lane road with one side street in the zone. There are no marked crosswalks in the zone. There is a large technical/vocational school on one side of this road. The side street runs through the campus.

I cannot find another school in the vicinity, so we assume that the school zone is there because of the vocational school. Are there any requirements that an area must meet in order to qualify as a school zone? i.e. do they apply to high schools?

Thanks in advance!

[blewis]

A school or playground zone can be placed in front of ANY school or playground. It can extend 300 or more from a crosswalk, or 300 or more from the school boundaries. It cannot extend LESS than 300 feet. See WAC 468-95-330.

Barry