TITUSVILLE, Fla. – In 2023, state law changed to allow the use of cameras to enforce speeding violations in school zones throughout the school day. Several Central Florida cities have started using them, including Orlando, Orange County, Osceola County, Mount Dora and Eustis.
In Titusville, Phase 1 began on Monday, covering six schools. There will be a 60-day warning period that runs through May 8, during which the police department will be issuing warnings to registered vehicle owners who are recorded speeding during school hours. After each 60-day warning period ends for a phase, citations will be issued to drivers who exceed the posted school zone speed limit by 11 mph or more.
Phase 2 and Phase 3 go-live dates are still to be determined. Each subsequent phase will also have a 60-day warning period before citations begin.
The cameras will be active throughout the entire school day, including 30 minutes before and after school starts, and the recorded violations are reviewed by a Titusville police officer before a warning or citation is mailed to the registered owner.
“I want to be clear about the purpose of this program. This is about changing driver behavior and protecting children. Speed safety cameras are not a replacement for police officers but they are a force multiplier and a proven tool that helps reduce speeding, crashes, and pedestrian injuries in speed zones,” Titusville Police Dept. Deputy Chief Tyler Wright said.
Titusville partnered with traffic enforcement technology company Altumint to assess speeding at school zones. The city released site-result figures showing a high percentage of vehicles recorded exceeding the posted speed limit by 11+ mph during school hours at test locations:
- Oak Park Elementary: 76%
- James Madison Middle School: 76%
- Titusville High School on Amos Lewis (formerly Sycamore Street): 70%
- Coquina Elementary School: 64%
- Imperial Elementary School: 50%
- Park Avenue Christian Academy: 48%
The release says those percentages represent the portion of vehicles recorded violating the posted speed limit during school hours and that the results underscore the need for enhanced enforcement.
Once the warning period is over, drivers caught in violation will be sent a $100 citation. For more information, click here..