ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County is considering installing speed detection cameras at 12 schools to improve pedestrian safety in school zones.
Since Florida law authorized local governments to use cameras to catch speeding drivers in school zones, several Central Florida cities and counties have adopted the technology, including Osceola County, Orlando, Mount Dora and Eustis.
At Dr. Phillips Elementary, families shared their thoughts on the potential new safety measure with News 6. Some parents and grandparents dropping off children said they support anything that helps protect students from drivers who ignore school zone speed limits.
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Kathy Ricci, who drops off her granddaughter daily, often sees drivers speeding, making school drop-off challenging.
“A lot of times, people just don’t want to stop for us up here,” she said.
Ricci believes cameras monitoring school zones would add an important layer of protection.
“We want them to be safe. You know, a lot of the kids don’t have grandma to bring them,” she added.
Last winter, the Orange County Board of Commissioners requested an ordinance to install cameras at schools across the county, including Dr. Phillips Elementary. If approved, the program would place cameras at 12 schools.
Melissa Arnott, a parent, has seen the cameras in use elsewhere and supports bringing them to her daughter’s school.
“I think that’s a great idea because I saw some other areas in Orange County already enforce that, and it works really well,” she said.
The proposed Orange County speed detection program would work similarly to others in Central Florida. Cameras would capture drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph during school zone hours. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office would review each violation to confirm the incident before a $100 fine is sent to the registered vehicle owner.
Here is a list of the 12 schools that would get cameras if the program is approved.
- Dr. Phillips Elementary School
- Hunters Creek Elementary School
- Rock Springs Elementary School
- Meadowbrook Middle School
- Three Points Elementary School
- Sally Ride Elementary School
- Discovery Middle School
- Southcreek Middle School
- Wedgefield K-8
- Cheney Elementary School
- Oak Hill Elementary School
- Palmetto Elementary School
The Orange County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the program during its meeting today, before voting on the ordinance.