TAMPA, Fla. — Schools are back in session across the Tampa Bay area, which means speed detection cameras are now operational in various school zones throughout the region.
The School Speed Zone Camera Program, authorized under Florida House Bill 657, empowers counties or municipalities to enforce speed limits in school zones utilizing a speed detection system.
What You Need To Know
- The School Speed Zone Camera Program, authorized under Florida House Bill 657, permits counties or municipalities to utilize cameras for enforcing speed limits in school zones.
- The rules vary based on the municipality.
- Cameras are operational in Polk, Manatee, and Hillsborough counties.
Rules can vary significantly depending on the city or county in which someone is driving.
POLK COUNTY
The city of Lakeland is progressing with the installation of speed detection cameras near at least eight schools.
Kevin Cook, the city’s director of communications, mentioned that the cameras were approved earlier this year and will be installed between September and October. The system is expected to go live on Nov. 4, and initial citations will be warnings for the first 30 days. Standard fined citations will commence on Dec. 3.
This decision follows Lake Alfred’s installation of school zone speed cameras last fall.
In the 2023-2024 school year, Polk County reported 25 students involved in vehicle-pedestrian crashes, prompting Lakeland city leaders to approve this measure.
Polk County Superintendent Fred Heid endorsed the implementation of speed cameras in school zones.
“It’s well known that we rank nationally in pedestrian accidents and fatalities,” Heid stated. “So, anything we can do, or our municipalities can do, to invest in promoting safety is crucial. I can’t support it enough. I believe our sheriff agrees.”
MANATEE COUNTY
Manatee County and the city of Bradenton have approved the use of school zone speed cameras for the 2024-2025 school year. While Manatee County discontinued the program, the city of Bradenton retained speed zone camera enforcement for this school year.
Consequently, only the 10 cameras in Bradenton are operational in Manatee County.
This includes nine public schools, including Manatee High, and one private institution.
The cameras are active throughout the school day, beginning 30 minutes before school commences and concluding 30 minutes after school ends. They enforce the posted speed limit.
Violations will result in a $100 fine issued to the registered owners of vehicles traveling 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit. These violations differ from traditional traffic tickets. If a violation isn’t settled or appealed within 30 days, it will convert to a formal traffic citation.
By the second semester of last school year, all 10 of Bradenton’s cameras were operational, resulting in a total of 12,300 violations issued.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Last year, Hillsborough County launched “Operation Safe Passage,” designed to improve road safety. The county installed school zone speed cameras at several school campuses.
Although the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office did not provide a list of participating schools, a spokesperson confirmed that signs near the school zones will indicate camera presence.
The 30-day warning period has concluded, and once all school zone signs are updated for this school year, the zones will be fully operational.
Tickets will be issued for speeds exceeding the limit when the lights on the signs are flashing.
“When the school zone sign is flashing, the camera will issue violations for speeds exceeding 10 mph over the flashing school zone speed limit,” stated HSCO Public Relations Coordinator Camille Gayle.
In Hillsborough County, the cameras are active only when school zone signs are flashing, unlike in Bradenton, where they are active throughout the entire school day.
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