Bradenton’s School Zone Cameras Generate $1 Million in First Year as Speeding Violations Drop Sharply
One year after the launch of Bradenton’s school zone speeding camera program, the Bradenton Police Department has reported more than $1 million collected from drivers who exceeded posted school zone speed limits. However, unlike most revenue-generating programs, police officials say the ultimate goal is to reduce that number by increasing compliance.
According to the department’s annual report, 16,936 notices of violations were issued between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025. Of those, 10,460 were paid within the 30-day window, while 2,928 were converted to uniform traffic citations, which carry higher fines. Drivers who fail to pay the initial $100 notice within 30 days are automatically escalated to a formal citation.
In total, $1,001,256 in revenue was collected and distributed in accordance with Florida law. The allocation includes $389,766 for the City of Bradenton's public safety initiatives, $200,510 reserved for police initiatives, $189,256 for police vehicles, $120,108 for the School District of Manatee County, and $50,045 to support the school crossing guard program. The camera vendor, Red Speed, received $29,874 for its services.
Police officials emphasized that compliance—not revenue—is the program’s priority. Jeremy Giddens of the Bradenton Police Department told council members that success will be measured by fewer violations, not higher collections. Early indications suggest that the program is working. A comparison included in the report shows a dramatic decline in speeding: on a similar day in March 2024, cameras recorded 3,464 speeders, compared to just 326 one year later—a reduction of roughly 90 percent.
Additional data showed a 47% drop in violations from the first 30 days of the 2024–25 school year to the following 30-day period. The highest speed recorded over the past year was 73 mph in a 40 mph school zone on 59th Street in May 2025. Only 11 citations were formally contested before the city, with eight upheld and three dismissed.
While Manatee County discontinued its school zone camera program amid public criticism, Bradenton officials pointed to the city’s results as evidence of continued safety improvements. Police leadership reiterated their hope that the revenue generated will steadily decline as more drivers follow the rules and slow down around schools.
