News Summary
Tallahassee has introduced a school zone speed camera program aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing speeding violations near schools. The initiative, backed by the Tallahassee Police Department, addresses the alarming number of traffic violations, with over 47,000 recorded at local public schools. The program aims to deter speeding by imposing fines on violators, generating anticipated revenue while ensuring taxpayer costs remain minimal. Public education on camera operation hours is a priority to improve compliance and promote safer driving behaviors around schools.
Tallahassee has launched a school zone speed camera program designed to enhance public safety and reduce speeding violations among drivers, particularly near schools. As of June 19, 2025, the city has reported no significant operational issues with the new system since its rollout. The program is expected to have most of its targeted locations operational by the start of the upcoming school year.
This initiative follows a detailed evaluation conducted by the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) and the City’s Technology and Innovations Department, which focused on improving safety for students and pedestrians. A traffic study revealed alarming statistics, with over 47,000 violations recorded at Leon County public schools. In a single day, more than a hundred vehicles were documented exceeding the speed limit by at least 10 miles per hour, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
The primary objective of the speed camera program is to deter speeding and promote driver compliance without the need for increased personnel enforcement. City officials believe that if drivers adhere to the speed limits, the cameras could remain inactive due to a lack of violations. The program is slated to issue fines of $100 for drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 mph. A 30-day warning period will precede the imposition of fines.
On April 8, 2025, the Leon County Commission voted in favor of the program, citing significant safety concerns. This move comes amid reports from other regions in Florida, such as Palm Bay, where officials temporarily suspended their own speed camera program in May 2025 following widespread complaints about inaccurate violations. Audits in Palm Bay revealed technical glitches, leading to refunds and dismissals of incorrect fines issued on non-school days.
In contrast, Manatee County recently faced a different fate regarding its school zone speed program. The county’s elected officials voted 5-2 to terminate the system, which had issued over 55,000 speeding citations prior to its dissolution. Some commissioners voiced concerns that the camera program was perceived as a “money grab,” reflecting a growing skepticism regarding the true intent behind such measures.
In Tallahassee, since the cameras went live on March 28, 2025, more than 3,179 speeding tickets have already been issued, generating around $318,000 in revenue, with approximately $124,000 benefitting the city. With a full implementation of 25 cameras, the city anticipates a monthly issuance of around 40,000 tickets, projecting an annual revenue of approximately $1.5 million.
The operational scope of the speed cameras extends throughout the entire school day, and fines will be processed through a system that captures vehicle license plates along with photographic evidence, which will be mailed to the violator. Drivers ticketed under the program will have options to pay their fines or contest them within a stipulated timeframe.
The revenue generated from ticket fines will be allocated to cover the costs associated with the program, ensuring that taxpayers are not burdened with its financial implications. This includes sharing revenue among the city, the program vendor RedSpeed Florida, LLC, the local school district, and the state government.
TPD Chief Lawrence Revell has emphasized the importance of educating the public regarding the active hours of the cameras to enhance compliance and change driving behavior. Ultimately, the aims of the school zone speed camera program in Tallahassee focus on improving pedestrian safety and lowering the risks associated with speeding in school zones.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: City on Track with School Zone Camera Implementation
- Tallahassee Democrat: School Zone Cameras Rack Up $318K in Fines
- The Famuan: City Activates School Zone Cameras
- WTXL: Leon County Works Toward Establishing School Zone Speed Enforcement Program
- Wikipedia: Traffic enforcement camera
