Tampa City Council is set to consider a new ordinance on Thursday that would introduce speed cameras in 18 school zones across the city, following a study that recorded over 6,000 speeding violations in just two days at one school.
The study, conducted by RedSpeed, a company that manufactures speed enforcement cameras, revealed serious speeding issues in school zones. At St. Lawrence Catholic School, 17,044 cars passed through the zone over two days in April, with 6,043 speeding violations captured. The speed limit during school hours is 15 mph, but cameras recorded speeds of 26 mph or more. After school, when the limit rises to 30 mph, drivers were caught exceeding 41 mph.
City officials have stressed that the cameras will only operate during school hours, when students are present. Jim Reiser, program coordinator for the cameras at Tampa Police Department, explained that different speed thresholds would apply depending on whether school zone flashers are active. Violations will not be issued after school, on weekends, or during holidays.
Councilman Luis Viera assured the public that the cameras are solely for child protection and public safety, not for broader surveillance. Revenue from fines will be allocated to the camera programme, the state, the school district, and a school crossing guard scheme.
The ordinance will have its first reading on Thursday, with further votes required before final approval. The city hopes the cameras will deter dangerous driving and protect children in school zones.
