SARASOTA, Fla. — This is a warning for drivers in Sarasota, especially those who do not obey speed limits in school zones.
Police are now able to monitor and fine speeders in school zones. This is part of an effort to align with House Bill 657, which went into effect as a state statute last year and requires enforcement of school zone speed limits with cameras and speed detection systems.
After a recent traffic study, Sarasota police leaders were astonished at the number of drivers speeding in school zones during school hours.
"Egregious violators in school zones. For example, on Fruitville Road in front of Cardinal Mooney and that school zone, in a five-day period, again going 10 miles an hour over the speed limit or higher, 17,000 violations," Captain Demetri Konstantopoulos of the Sarasota Police Department said.
That's why the City of Sarasota commission unanimously approved a deal with RedSpeed Florida, LLC to help police with School Zone Speed Enforcement.
Using high-end speed detection technology, they will monitor 11 school zones and six schools inside city limits.
Violators will get a violation notice of $100, which they can pay within 30 days or contest.
"We believe that this initiative is going to protect our children during school hours as they go to school as they leave school, you know even their parents that are walking them across school zones so we definitely do believe that this is going to enhance traffic safety in the school zones," Captain Konstantopoulos said.
Neighbors living near school zones like the neighborhood across Cardinal Mooney High School said it's not just the speeding they're worried about. They're also concerned about reckless driving and maneuvering despite warning signs that advise that children play in the area.
"The traffic light seems to back up to turn north in the Cardinal Mooney. I'm heading eastbound so we have a lot of people that are coming to do U-turns right our driveways and speed through and there's a lot of kids in the neighborhood," Trenton Chapman, a Sarasota neighbor said.
"I know everybody's trying to get to where they want to go. But just think about If your kids lived here or you know your family lived here. Just slow down a little bit," Chapman said.
Revenue from the $100 fines will go back to support the local school system and its public safety programs.