LAKELAND, FL — Drivers in Lakeland will soon face fines instead of warnings for speeding through active school zones.
Beginning Tuesday, August 11, the first day of the new school year, the Lakeland Police Department’s School Zone Speed Safety Program will begin issuing $100 civil citations to motorists caught driving more than 10 mph over the posted school-zone speed limit while school-zone flashing lights are active.
The City of Lakeland and the Lakeland Police Department installed 14 automated speed enforcement cameras near eight school entrances earlier this year as part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative to improve safety for students, school staff, and pedestrians. Since the program launched, drivers meeting the enforcement threshold have received warning notices instead of citations.
Before a citation is issued, every potential violation captured by the automated system is reviewed and approved by the Lakeland Police Department. Approved violations are then mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.
“Our goal has never been to issue citations; it has always been to protect children and encourage safer driving habits,” said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor. “As students return to school, we want every driver to slow down, stay alert, and help us keep our school zones safe. If motorists obey the speed limit, they’ll never receive a citation.”
The school zone speed cameras are located at:
- Lincoln Academy – 10th Street
- Crystal Lake Elementary School – N. Crystal Lake Drive
- Crystal Lake Middle School – S. Crystal Lake Drive
- Southwest Middle School – Lincoln Avenue
- North Lakeland Elementary School – W. Robson Street
- Lakeland High School – Hollingsworth Road
- Lakeland Highlands Middle School – Lake Miriam Drive
- Sleepy Hill Elementary School – Sleepy Hill Road
- Dixieland Elementary School – Beacon Road
- Southwest Elementary School – Beacon Road
- Southwest Middle School – Beacon Road
SOURCE: CITY OF LAKELAND
