APOPKA, Fla. – Orange County plans to install an automated speed camera near Rock Springs Elementary after a traffic study found that the speeds and number of vehicles passing the school warranted additional enforcement.
People who live near the school told News 6 that speeding has become a regular concern along Rock Springs Road.
One longtime resident compared weekday traffic to a racetrack. Juan Vega, who lives about a mile and a half from the school and has two nephews who attend it, said he has witnessed drivers traveling an estimated 65 to 70 mph.
“It’s very dangerous,” Vega said. “They need to do something about this.”
Orange County Traffic Engineering worked with Orange County Public Schools, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and county commissioners to identify possible schools in each commission district, according to Shawn Bell, a project coordinator with the county’s Traffic Engineering Division.
Bell said the study confirmed that the Rock Springs Elementary school zone could benefit from automated enforcement based on the speeds and traffic volume recorded there.
The county has not released the camera’s final location. Bell said the equipment and required warning signs will be installed according to state law and other applicable guidelines.
How the speed camera will work
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said its Traffic Section will review each potential violation before a notice is issued.
Drivers would have to exceed the applicable posted speed limit by more than 10 mph to receive a violation.
Camera enforcement would operate:
- Beginning 30 minutes before the first school session
- Throughout the entire school day
- Until 30 minutes after the final dismissal
OCSO said motorists would be able to challenge a notice through the established process used for camera-enforced traffic violations.
The county plans to begin the program after the upcoming winter break. A 30-day warning period is expected to start in January 2027, with enforcement notices potentially beginning as early as February.
Orange County said that schedule remains subject to change.
Fewer than 20% of students walk or bike
Orange County Public Schools told News 6 that fewer than 20% of Rock Springs Elementary students walk or ride bicycles to and from school.
“The safety of our students and staff is the highest priority, especially in school zones throughout the county,” the district said in a statement. “The district appreciates the efforts of Orange County and our law enforcement partners.”
A sign posted near the school also says the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a school crossing guard for the location.
Residents said cameras and crossing guards could help, but they believe the most important change must come from drivers.
Vega said deputies cannot remain outside the school throughout the day and believes cameras could provide another tool to deter speeding when law enforcement is not physically present.
Another longtime resident said drivers appear to slow down whenever a deputy is parked nearby, but often speed up again after law enforcement leaves.
“A few people gotta get the tickets,” the resident said. “When the tickets start going out, they will start driving the speed limit.”
Orange County Traffic Engineering said it is not currently aware of any additional road, crosswalk, lighting or safety-improvement projects planned for the location, although staff members were checking with other county teams.
For residents, the success of the program will not simply be measured by how many notices are issued. They said the real test will be whether drivers finally slow down outside the school.