Bradenton school zone speed cameras ticket 50 drivers on opening day.

Key Information

• 50 speed violations recorded on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year in Bradenton.
• Violations occur for exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 mph during school hours.
• Flat $100 violation notices will be sent to registered vehicle owners.
• Speed cameras are active during school days and hours only, enforced by the city of Bradenton and Sarasota.
• 12,300 violations were issued during the second half of the 2024-25 school year.

On the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, Bradenton’s photo-enforced speed cameras recorded a staggering 50 violations. This monitoring means that many drivers found out the hard way that they were exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph during critical school hours.

The registered owners of these vehicles can expect $100 violation notices to arrive in their mailboxes. Currently, the speed cameras are operational within the city limits of Bradenton and Sarasota. While the city of Venice has approved the installation of speed zone cameras, they have yet to be implemented.

It’s noteworthy that Unincorporated Manatee County no longer has a school zone speed camera program, having discontinued it in March. In contrast, Bradenton is once again enforcing speed limits in school zones located within the city limits.

During the latter half of the 2024-25 school year, the enforcement cameras in Bradenton issued a total of 12,300 violations.

The background:

• School speed zone cameras are designed solely to enforce speed limits in school zones, not to function as red light cameras.
• Municipalities must hold independent votes to adopt this program.
• Manatee County Commissioners approved the use of speed zone cameras during the 2024-25 school year.
• The Bradenton City Council later gave its approval.
• While Manatee County discontinued the program, Bradenton has resumed enforcing speed limits in its school zones.

Bradenton’s school speed zone program:

• Speed cameras are positioned at 10 schools, comprising 9 public and 1 private institution.
• The cameras are operated by Red Speed, a company widely used by municipalities in Florida.
• The photo enforcement is active only on school days and during school hours, excluding weekends, holidays, and breaks.
• The cameras begin enforcement 30 minutes before school starts and continue 30 minutes after school ends.

How they work:

• Vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph or more are photographed, capturing the license plate and speed.
• Speed measurements are taken using laser technology.
• Violations are reviewed by a program administrator or a police officer before notices are sent.
• The registered vehicle owner receives the notice, meaning if someone borrows your car and speeds, you are liable.

About violations:

• Each violation incurs a flat $100 fine, distinct from a Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC).
• Violations must be resolved within 30 days, either by payment or appeal, directed to Red Speed.
• Failure to address a violation can lead to a UTC, which may affect your driving record and insurance rates.

About speed enforcement:

• Enforcement is based on signage within the school zone, including speed limits that are often marked by flashing lights.
• Regularly posted speed limits apply as well; for example, at Ballard Elementary, the reduced limit is 15 mph.
• Exceeding this limit while the reduced speed is active can result in a violation.
• During enforcement hours, a regular limit of 30 mph means exceeding 40 mph will also trigger a violation.

To avoid any issues, police advise motorists to pay close attention to speed limits, especially around school zones.