As schools go back in session, public safety officials are reminding drivers to slow down in school zones.

A new survey of 26 traffic courts across the state finds the average cost of a speeding ticket in a school zone in California is $213, but San Francisco Police Lt. Lynn Tomioka says it can go even higher. Click to Listen

“Each individual court may enforce additional fines based on the actual speeds within the school zone,” said Tomioka.

The Allstate insurance survey finds fees vary by county. Mendocino has the highest average school zone speeding fine average at $247. In San Francisco it’s $219.

“Once you get a really expensive ticket you’ll think twice about speeding,” said one driver. “And if you’re in a school zone you have to be extra careful about it.”

Tomioka says that especially at the beginning of the year, children often aren’t paying much attention to traffic.

“Just be aware of children on the street, because they’re excited to go back to school,” said Tomioka.