According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are 81.5 million children enrolled in schools across the United States. Many walk to school or are dropped off in front of the building, which is why it’s important for motorists to drive cautiously through school zones. These zones are in effect in California during the hours children are going to or leaving school, as well the noon recess period when elementary aged children are often playing outside. State law mandates the speed for school zones be 25 miles per hour or.