Speeding Tickets: Gainesville, Alachua County installing speed cameras in school zones

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) — Speeding drivers in Gainesville may soon face fines from both Alachua County and the city as both are installing speed cameras in school zones in an attempt to slow down traffic.

For years, these cameras have been legal in Florida, and now leaders in the area plan to automate traffic enforcement.

The Gainesville Police Department plans to soon have cameras operational at Talbot Elementary and Lincoln Middle.

“We’re going to start slow, we have two schools, the one here on the east side would get both Williams and Lincoln, because of the way that school is set up, and then we’ll have one at 43rd Street at Talbot,” said Art Forgey, the public information officer for the Gainesville Police Department

Forgey said he hopes the department issues zero citations with these cameras, but says they’re needed to engineer behavior away from speeding in school zones.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office also plans on installing speed cameras at both Wiles and Chiles Elementary on Tower Road and 24th Avenue. Officials identified Wiles as one of the top schools for violations.

Both GPD and ASO officials say they’ll do everything they can to get the word out once the cameras go live.

“They’re waiting on some permitting for some different things. Once we know and have a date that they’ll go live, we’ll obviously begin to promote it, that they’re out there, and let people know what to expect,” said Forgey.

TRENDING: ‘In awe, so humbled’: Gainesville hairstylist wins an Emmy for work on Disney film

Once these traffic cameras go live, there will be a 30-day grace period, which is required by law. After that, those exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph during the school day and 15 mph during non-school hours will be issued a $100 civil citation.

These will not result in points on a license, and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office officials say their citations will not have an impact on insurance either.

Both GPD and ASO officials say they’ll do everything they can to get the word out once the cameras go live.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.