Tallahassee Schools Implement Speed Camera Program for Safety

Speed camera in a school zone in Tallahassee

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News Summary

Tallahassee has launched a speed camera program to enhance road safety near schools, issuing over 3,000 tickets since its inception. The initiative aims to reduce speeding and protect children around school zones, with plans to expand the camera network. Currently, two cameras are operational, but the city plans to install more cameras throughout the year. This program is part of an effort to create safer environments for students and pedestrians, addressing community concerns about speeding violations.

Tallahassee has activated a school zone speed camera program aimed at improving safety and reducing speeding near schools. Since the program went live on March 28, a total of 3,179 speeding tickets have been issued, generating nearly $318,000 in fines, of which approximately $124,000 has been collected by the city. The initiative is part of a wider effort to enhance the safety of children and crossing staff in school zones, and it has prompted plans for further expansion of the camera network.

Currently, there are two operational speed cameras located at Ruediger Elementary, Raa Middle School, and Desoto Trail Elementary. As part of an ongoing strategy, the city plans to install an additional 23 cameras throughout the year, which could potentially increase the total number of cameras to 25. With all cameras functioning, predictions suggest that Tallahassee could issue around 40,000 speeding tickets each month, leading to an estimated $1.5 million in revenue for the city. If current speeding patterns persist, projected annual revenue might reach as much as $18.6 million, with each camera expected to capture approximately 1,590 speeders monthly.

The school zone speed cameras are operational throughout the entire school day, not limited to the periods when flashing lights are active. Activation times vary depending on the schedule of each individual school, and the cameras are inactive on weekends and during official school breaks. This aspect has led to some confusion among community members regarding the specific timings, but the city remains committed to complying with the stipulations laid out in state regulations.

Under the new enforcement system, speeding violations are issued when drivers exceed the posted speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour, or when they exceed the reduced speed limit while school zone lights are flashing. For example, a driver going 41 mph in a school zone with a normal limit of 30 mph can expect to receive a ticket. The base fine for violations in school zones is set at $100, which is notably less than the near $200 fines typically imposed by law enforcement officers.

The city has entered a five-year agreement with RedSpeed Florida, LLC, to oversee the traffic control program. Revenue from the fines will be distributed among the city, the vendor, the school district, and the state after vendor fees are deducted. To ensure taxpayers are not burdened by the costs of the program, collected fines will be first utilized to pay for program expenses.

Initial tests of the camera systems demonstrated a high number of speeding violations within a single day, indicating their effectiveness in curbing unsafe driving behavior. Furthermore, the Tallahassee City Commission had previously adjusted the proposed property tax rate in anticipation of revenue generated by this program.

Additionally, a similar automated school zone speed enforcement initiative has been approved by county commissioners, mirroring the city’s program in its method and specific features. Violators in the county will also receive notifications of their infractions through the mail, which will include a photo of their vehicle’s license plate. Both the city and county programs stipulate ticketing for speeds exceeding 10 miles per hour over the limit.

According to local authorities, reducing speed is paramount for the safety of students and pedestrians. The proactive enforcement measures taken through the installation of speed cameras reflect a commitment to promoting safe environments around schools and protecting the well-being of children as they travel to and from school.