MANATEE COUNTY, FL (August 8, 2024) – Manatee County will begin speed camera enforcement in school zones with the start of the new school year next week.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 657 in 2023 making speed cameras legal in Florida for the first time by allowing their use in school zones. Manatee County is working to implement the cameras, following the bill’s passage, along with dozens of other municipalities in the state.
Cameras and warning signs have been installed in school zones throughout the Manatee County School District over the summer break. Initially, there will be a 30-day period when drivers will receive warnings for driving more than 10 miles over the posted speed limit in the school zone. After that time period, violators will receive a notice of violation with a $100 fine. All violations will be reviewed by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and no points will be imposed on the owner of the vehicle.
“The reason for implementing these cameras in school zones is to reduce the amount of speeding in school zones and reduce the amount of danger potentially posed by speeding drivers,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. “We will have those sites listed on our website (mymanatee.org/speedcams) so everybody will know exactly where they are.”
According to a recent Road Safety Report, Florida is ranked as the third worst state for pedestrian traffic fatalities. Speed cameras have been shown to reduce traffic incidents. The selected vendor partner, RedSpeed, will be furnishing, installing, and maintaining the speed detection system, in compliance with FDOT placement and installation specifications.
“We really want to thank the Manatee County Commissioners for initiating and instituting these additional safety measures to help keep our children safe to and from school,” said Manatee County Schools Communications Director Mike Barber.