EUSTIS, Fla. – City leaders are celebrating the installation of speed detection cameras at a school zone in Eustis.
The first school zone enforcement program is in place along Orange Avenue at Prescott Street, which is near Eustis Elementary School.
“We just want our citizens to do the right thing and protect our children,” Mayor Michael Holland said.
Last year, the Florida Legislature approved using speed detection systems to ticket drivers by mail.
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On Wednesday, officers distributed information about the cameras, which are designed to encourage drivers to slow down near schools.
“It’s extremely important when you’re talking about children (and) child safety,” Eustis police Chief Craig Capri said. “It’s going to make a difference in our city and have a huge impact on slowing speeders down in our school zones.”
The system will be active from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The hours on Wednesdays are from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. due to early release at schools.
For the first 30 days, drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph will receive warnings sent to the address of the vehicle’s registration.
After the grace period, $100 citations will be issued with all violations reviewed by the Eustis Police Department.
“I think the $100 fine is going to change behavior because when you hit people in the pocket book, they tend to correct their behavior,” Capri said.
Speed enforcement signs have also been installed in the area to warn drivers of the enforcement.
The city plans to install additional speed detection cameras near other schools over the next year.
Visit the city’s website for more details by clicking here.
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