Final answer:
The maximum speed limit in a school zone with flashing lights is typically 15-25 mph, depending on local laws. It's lower than the usual speed limit to protect the safety of students, and failing to comply can result in a traffic ticket and compromise safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum speed limit in a school zone when the lights are flashing is typically set lower than the regular speed limit to ensure the safety of students. The specific speed limit can vary by jurisdiction, but it is often around 15-25 miles per hour. Flashing school zone lights are a signal for drivers to reduce their speed immediately to comply with the lower speed limit de facto, meaning in practice or actuality, regardless of what the de jure or legal speed limit may be when lights are not flashing.
In general, driving at or below these reduced speeds is crucial, not just to avoid receiving a traffic ticket but to ensure the safety of school children. For example, if you enter a town like Jacinto City, Texas, where the normal speed limit is 30 miles per hour, and the school zone flashers are active, you should reduce your speed accordingly. Disregarding active school zone signs could lead to more than just a violation; it jeopardizes pedestrian safety.