In a school zone during posted hours, what should you do?

• A. Slow to the posted speed limit and watch for children and crossing guards.
• B. Speed up to get through quickly.
• C. Stop only for crossing guards; ignore children.
• D. Honk to alert pedestrians.

Answer: (D)

In a school zone, the key idea is to be unusually careful and slow down because children may appear suddenly. You should reduce your speed to the posted limit and stay alert for kids who might dart across or onto the street, as well as for crossing guards signaling you to stop. Stopping when a crossing guard or a child is present is essential for safety; these adults are guiding traffic to protect pedestrians.

Honk to alert pedestrians isn’t appropriate here because it can startle children, cause confusion, and isn’t a reliable substitute for paying attention and stopping when required. The safest behavior is to slow down, watch for children and guards, and stop as needed. The posted hours indicate when these stricter school-zone rules apply, but even outside those hours, driving with extra caution near schools is wise.