News Summary
The Tallahassee Police Department will present its annual report on school speed zone enforcement, revealing over 6,600 traffic violations and significant revenue generation. The report highlights the effectiveness of speed detection systems recently installed in school zones to enhance safety. Funding from the generated fines supports community initiatives, ensuring the program operates without additional taxpayer costs. The TPD emphasizes the importance of compliance with traffic laws to protect children and crossing guards.
Tallahassee, FL – The Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) is set to present its annual report on school speed zone enforcement during the city commission meeting scheduled for September 3rd. This report will cover vital statistical information gathered between March 28 and May 23, 2025, regarding traffic violations and the implementation of speed detection systems aimed at enhancing safety in school zones.
The report reveals that a total of 6,629 traffic violations were recorded, with 4,561 of these cited violations paid, leaving 1,643 pending. Additionally, of the 84 contested violations, only 8 have been upheld, while the remaining 76 are still awaiting resolution. Revenue generated from these violations totaled $435,600, with allocations as follows: $261,360 to the city, $21,780 supporting the school crossing guard program, $87,120 sent to the Florida Department of Revenue, $13,068 for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and $52,272 directed to the Leon County School Board.
In a move aimed at improving safety around schools, the city authorized the installation of speed detection systems at various Leon County Public School locations on May 8, 2024. TPD officials have reported that the active speed cameras alone have issued more than 3,179 speeding tickets since their activation in March 2025, contributing nearly $318,000 in fines. The TPD anticipates adding 23 more cameras, which could potentially result in about 40,000 tickets being issued each month if trends continue.
Report findings underscore Florida Statutes’ requirement for municipalities equipped with school zone detection systems to present their statistics annually at city commission meetings. The TPD uses these enforcement measures to enhance compliance with traffic laws and protect the community, particularly children, teachers, and crossing guards. The cameras are operational throughout school hours, specifically activated 30 minutes before and after school, enforcing stricter penalties for those violating speed limits during these critical times. Tickets are issued for speeds exceeding the posted limit by more than 10 mph and for exceeding 11 mph when warning lights are flashing.
The basic penalty for speeding in a school zone is set at $100, which is generally lower than citations issued directly by officers. One notable incident reported involved a driver clocked at an alarming 73 mph in a school zone, emphasizing ongoing safety concerns that TPD intends to address through its enforcement efforts.
The financial implications of the enforcement program extend beyond simply issuing tickets, as the collected fines support various local initiatives. This funding model is designed to ensure that the program operates without imposing additional costs on taxpayers. The anticipated annual revenue generated from all speed cameras could potentially reach about $1.5 million if violation trends persist.
In a related measure, Leon County is also considering the adoption of similar speed camera systems throughout unincorporated areas, spurred on by House Bill 657, which was passed in May 2023. Community feedback indicated some confusion regarding the operational hours of the cameras, prompting TPD to clarify that they adhere to specific guidelines and do not operate constantly.
For individuals receiving citations, TPD has established a process for contesting the tickets or reassigning them to the actual driver if different from the registered vehicle owner. This approach aims to maintain public interest while ensuring that traffic enforcement remains fair and transparent. TPD emphasizes that the revenue generated not only aids operational costs but also significantly benefits community programs, such as those for local schools and the crossing guard initiative.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: TPD Releases School Speed Zone Enforcement Annual Report
- Tallahassee Democrat: School Zone Cameras Rack Up $318K in Fines in One Month
- WTXL: TPD Expands School Zone Speed Enforcement Camera Locations
- Tallahassee Democrat: Gears Up for New School Year with More School Zone Cameras
- Wikipedia: Traffic Enforcement
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
