Lakeland Red Light and School Zone Camera Violations Increase Amidst City Growth

Red Light Camera Program Overview

• 💡 The city of Lakeland approved its red light camera program in 2009 to enhance roadway safety.
• 📌 Currently, there are six red light camera locations, with two new ones approved for Florida Avenue at George Jenkins Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue at East Parker Street.

Red Light Camera Violations and Revenue

• 📈 Despite city growth, red light camera violations have increased over the years.
• 📊 From July 1st of last year to June 30th of this year, over 27,000 violations were issued.
• 💰 Of these, nearly 700 were contested and 630 upheld, generating $3.5 million in revenue, with $900,000 distributed to the city's general fund.

School Speed Zone Camera Expansion

• 🏫 The city is also expanding its school speed zone cameras.
• ⚠️ Once installed, there will be 14 school speed zone cameras within the city, including two newly approved ones eastbound on Sleepy Hill Road and westbound on West Beacon Road.
• 🎯 The goal is to see a reduction in speeding behavior in school zones.

School Zone Camera Implementation

• 🗓️ Cameras will begin with a warning period the first week of November.
• 🚗 Citations are tentatively set to go live the first week of December, with a $100 fine for speeding in a school zone.
• 🧒 The expansion of these cameras is supported as a means of protecting children, especially given past incidents of children being struck by vehicles.