Speed-enforcement cameras in Manatee County school zones? Tickets and fines are coming

Cameras that ticket drivers speeding through Bradenton-area school zones are coming to Manatee County.

The Board of County Commissioners recently approved an agreement with a vendor to install cameras that track driver speed around local schools. The program is meant to increase pedestrian safety, officials say.

Manatee County’s decision to install the cameras comes nearly two years after board members voted to end the use of red light cameras that ticketed drivers who made right-hand turns without slowing down at certain busy intersections.

Speaking during a recent public meeting, commissioners said they see the school zone cameras as a clear safety benefit, while the red-light cameras were described as a revenue generator. A new law that allows the use of cameras to enforce speeding fines in school zones went into effect in July.

“There’s a reason why we have enhanced ticket prices for speeding through school zones as it is — because it’s more dangerous for our kids,” Commissioner George Kruse said.

School zones, which are active 30 minutes before the school day begins and 30 minutes after the school day ends, require drivers to reduce their vehicle’s speed to make crossing the street easier for parents and students.

Speeding cameras in Manatee County school zones

The camera vendor, Cambridge, Maryland-based RedSpeed, has contracts with 100 municipalities across five states, according to its website. Redspeed says its technology can “improve driver and community safety.”

Deputy County Administrator Courtney De Pol used statewide and national data to justify the new program. She pointed to a “serious concern” at Manatee County schools but did not highlight any local crash statistic linked to school zones.

Commissioner James Satcher recalled walking his child to school and witnessing a driver speeding, even though a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy was in the area.

Board members supported the idea and said the cameras would provide peace of mind for Manatee County parents.

“I think this is a great day for Manatee County and for the school children that are out there and dealing with this every day,” Commissioner Mike Rahn said.

“I know in my district, parents are concerned about this,” Commissioner Ray Turner added.

Reached for comment Thursday morning, Manatee County Superintendent Jason Wysong said he supported the move and predicted that it would make local schools safer.

“We are grateful the county took the initiative to add an additional layer of safety for our students in school speed zones,” Wysong said.

While commissioners voted unanimously to approve the program, Kruse opposed the contract with RedSpeed in a separate vote. He criticized the county’s use of a piggyback agreement instead of putting out a request for proposal that would have allowed other vendors to compete for the Manatee County contract.

How will tickets be issued?

According to a presentation by Deputy County Administrator Courtney De Pol, the cameras automatically detect when a car moves too quickly through a school zone. Tickets are issued for drivers going at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Similar to the red light camera program, the camera operator sends footage of the violation to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which has a deputy review the incident before a ticket goes in the mail.

Before tickets are issued, Manatee County Government will launch an education campaign to alert drivers to the speeding enforcement cameras. Signs must also be placed in the area. For the first month, only warnings will be issued to speeding drivers.

A school zone speeding violation will come with a $100 ticket. RedSpeed, which plans to install the cameras at no cost to the county ahead of the 2024-2025 school year, will receive $30 from each ticket. The rest of the money supports “school safety and crosswalk guards,” De Pol said.

The $100 fines are a civil penalty and they do not add points to a driver’s license.

“We can anticipate dramatically reduced speeding within the first year with these cameras,” De Pol said.

As of Thursday, county officials have not determined where the new speed-enforcement cameras will be installed. The Public Safety Department plans to meet with the sheriff’s office and RedSpeed to choose locations in the coming weeks.