LAKELAND, Fla. – Drivers traveling through Lakeland school zones could soon face a $100 civil citation if they are caught going more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit while school-zone flashing lights are active, the Lakeland Police Department said.
According to a department release, the city’s School Zone Speed Safety Program is set to move from a warning phase to issuing citations beginning Aug. 11.
Part of Lakeland’s Vision Zero initiative
City officials said the program began earlier this year under Lakeland’s Vision Zero initiative, a traffic safety effort focused on reducing roadway injuries and making school areas safer for:
Students and school staff
Pedestrians
Motorists
Lakeland officials said 14 automated speed enforcement cameras have been installed near eight school locations throughout the city.
Warnings so far
Since the school zone speed cameras were turned on, drivers recorded at more than 10 mph above the limit during active school-zone periods have been mailed warning notices rather than fines.
Starting Aug. 11, those warnings will be replaced with civil citations.
How the camera enforcement works
According to police, the cameras:
Only monitor traffic when the school-zone flashing lights are active
Capture images when a vehicle is traveling more than 10 mph over the posted limit
Have each potential violation reviewed and approved by the Lakeland Police Department before a citation is issued
If approved, officials said a $100 civil citation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
School zone camera locations
The department said the 14 cameras are located near these school entrances:
Lincoln Academy — 10th Street
Crystal Lake Elementary / Crystal Lake Middle School — North Crystal Lake Drive and South Crystal Lake Drive
Southwest Middle School — Lincoln Avenue
North Lakeland Elementary — W. Robson Street
Lakeland High School — Hollingsworth Road
Lakeland Highlands Middle School — Lake Miriam Drive
Sleepy Hill Elementary — Sleepy Hill Road
Dixieland Elementary, Southwest Elementary, and Southwest Middle School — Beacon Road
For more information about the safety program, residents are urged to visit lakelandpd.com.
