When you enter a school zone, what should you do?

• A. Increase speed
• B. Maintain speed
• C. Stop immediately
• D. Slow down and be prepared to stop for children

Answer: (D)

In a school zone, the priority is to be highly alert and ready to react to children who may step into the roadway. Slowing down to the posted school-zone speed and being prepared to stop for children provides you with the extra time needed to notice and brake for someone crossing or for a crossing guard signaling you to halt. This cautious approach reduces the risk of hitting a child and aligns with traffic safety expectations in areas where kids are frequently nearby.

Increasing speed would make it harder to stop in time if a child suddenly enters the roadway, and maintaining the same speed might still be unsafe if the posted limit is lower in the zone or if children are present. Stopping immediately is only necessary when a signal or guard directs you to stop or a direct hazard requires it; otherwise, easing off the accelerator and staying prepared to stop is the proper conduct in school zones.