Lakeland PD Urges Drivers to Prioritize Safety as School Year Begins

Polk County's Pedestrian Safety Concerns

• ⚠️ Polk County has been identified as one of the deadliest counties in Florida for pedestrians.
• 🎯 This designation highlights the critical need for increased driver awareness and adherence to traffic laws, especially as the school year commences.

School Zone Safety Measures

• 🚦 Lakeland police are emphasizing the importance of drivers slowing down and paying attention in school zones.
• 🚲 This includes being mindful of pedestrians, bicyclists, and the growing number of ebikers, who must follow the same rules as traditional cyclists despite their increased speed.

New Camera Enforcement

• 📸 School buses will be equipped with cameras to ticket drivers who illegally pass red stop signs.
• 📍 In Lakeland, new school speed zone cameras, approved in June, will become active in the fall, targeting drivers 10 mph over the speed limit during school hours.
• 💡 The hope is that the presence of these cameras will encourage drivers to reduce their speed, thereby enhancing school zone safety.

Enforcement and Fines

• 👮 For the initial two weeks of school, police will focus on re-educating drivers about traffic laws.
• 💰 Violating speed limits in school zones can result in significant fines, with speeds 10 mph over the limit potentially leading to a $200 penalty.