EUSTIS, Fla. – During the 30-day warning period, the new school zone speed cameras in Eustis have issued 767 warnings to drivers.
The cameras are located at the Orange Avenue and Prescott Street intersection near Eustis Elementary School. Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri said these warnings were issued in just one school zone.
Within the first 6 days, Capri said there were more than 100 warnings.
“I was surprised,” Capri said. “I was a little concerned — like, OK, this confirms the data that we looked at, the scientific data that there is a speeding problem there.”
What some people might not know is that even if the school zone sign isn’t flashing, you can still get a violation.
There are posted signs warning drivers the cameras operate during the entire school day.
If you’re going 11 miles per hour over the speed limit during any of these times while school is in session, you can expect a $100 fine. Capri said the cameras are not active during the weekends or school holidays.
“This program, I hope, changes that behavior,” Capri said. “I hope that we don’t issue a lot of citations. That’s the goal of this program, because if we’re not issuing speeding citations, it means people aren’t speeding in school zones and our missions accomplished.”
Capri also told us there will be someone who looks over every violation to make sure one needs to be issued. If there is any discrepancy, the violation will be void.
“We’re going to make sure that every violation is a valid violation, that it’s been reviewed as a valid violation before we issue that violation where they have to pay $100,” Capri said. “We understand $100 is a lot of money for people here right now. It’s a lot of money.”
Capri also said drivers will have 30 days to pay their fine or appeal it. If they don’t it becomes a moving violation which could result in points on your license.
Cameras are also going up near Eustis Heights Elementary at the Bay Street and Taylor Avenue intersection in the coming weeks. Capri said they’re hoping to have additional cameras installed near Eustis High School and the Cutwright Center by the beginning of next school year.
The warning period ends Wednesday, April 3. Violations will be issued beginning Wednesday.
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