School Board to Discuss County’s Decision to End School Zone Camera Program
The Manatee County School Board will address concerns regarding the County Commission’s recent decision to discontinue traffic monitoring through the school zone camera program. Chairman Chad Choate has requested a discussion on the matter, intending to draft a letter to the County emphasizing student safety. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM on Tuesday at the Walter Miller School Support Center.
The school zone speed camera initiative was implemented after the passage of Florida House Bill 657 in April 2023, allowing speed detection systems to issue citations to drivers exceeding the school zone speed limit by more than 10 mph. The program, operated by vendor RedSpeed, has issued 55,243 Notices of Violation, with 22,292 drivers paying the $100 fine. Additionally, 4,051 violations remain under law enforcement review, and 45 cases are scheduled for a hearing before a Special Magistrate on March 26, 2025.
The County Commission cited a lack of public support and questioned the program’s effectiveness in terminating the initiative. Commissioner Ray Turner expressed concerns that the cameras were not fulfilling their intended purpose. At the same time, Commissioner Jason Bearden pointed to the high number of violations as a justification for shifting enforcement responsibilities to the Sheriff’s Department.
Despite the program’s conclusion, Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske stressed the importance of continued vigilance in school zones, urging drivers to follow posted speed limits to protect students, parents, and school staff.
Community members interested in the discussion can view the meeting live through the School Board’s website. The full agenda and details on public comment sign-up are also available online.
