Washington driving lesson · Lane Markings and Special Zones
School, work, and emergency zones
A 3-minute lesson from the Washington course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Three kinds of zones call for extra care: school zones where children may appear, work zones where crews stand feet from traffic, and emergency zones where responders are helping someone at the roadside. Each comes with its own speed rules.
Know the rule
A school zone is the roads around a school building or playground. It can be marked with signs, pavement markings, and flashing lights.
Signs may clarify when the 20 mph limit applies. Students may be around after school for activities, sports, or the playground, so slow down near schools.
On a 60 mph freeway, a tow truck with flashing lights is on the right shoulder. Move into a farther lane if you can. If you can't, slow to 50 mph or less: at least 10 mph under the limit, and never over 50 in an emergency zone.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is Washington's speed limit in a school zone?
30 mph
20 mph
15 mph
25 mph
Answer: 20 mph
The school zone speed limit is 20 mph because higher speeds increase the risk of fatal crashes.
