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Lakeland drivers should be ready to slow down when school resumes Wednesday, Jan. 7. A new camera program designed to enforce school-zone speed limits is now active.
The Lakeland Police Department said the city has activated 14 speed enforcement cameras near eight school entrances. The move is part of the city’s Vision Zero effort to eliminate traffic deaths.
The cameras are only active when the school-zone flashing lights are on. Vehicles traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the posted limit during those times will be flagged for a violation.
What drivers should expect Wednesday morning
- School traffic will be back after the winter break, especially around drop-off times. Allow a few extra minutes for your commute and watch for students walking or biking near campuses.
- School-zone lights will be flashing — that means the cameras are active.
- If you’re running late, don’t try to make up time in a school zone.
- Warnings are being issued now; citations start in February.
Through January, the city will run a warning period to give motorists time to adjust. Drivers caught speeding will receive a mailed warning notice instead of a fine. Those notices will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Beginning Feb. 2, 2026, violations will carry a $100 penalty. Each case will be reviewed by a Lakeland Police officer before a notice is mailed. Each citation will include a link, notice number and PIN so drivers can view photos and videos of the alleged offense.
The citations won’t add points to a driver’s record or affect insurance rates. As long as they’re paid, they are considered a “non-criminal infraction” and not reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or to insurance agencies.
Police Chief Sam Taylor said the program is meant to protect students by changing driver behavior in school zones.
“No one should be speeding in school zones,” Taylor said. “Drivers should always slow down and be alert for students and other pedestrians. We want everyone to come home safe.”
Where the cameras are located
- Lincoln Academy — eastbound and westbound on 10th Street
- Crystal Lake Elementary/Crystal Lake Middle — eastbound and westbound on North & South Crystal Lake Drive
- Southwest Middle — westbound on South Lincoln Avenue
- North Lakeland Elementary — eastbound and westbound on West Robson Street
- Lakeland High School — northbound on Hollingsworth Road
- Lakeland Highlands Middle — eastbound on Lake Miriam Drive
- Sleepy Hill Elementary — westbound on Sleepy Hill Road
- Dixieland Elementary/Southwest Elementary/Southwest Middle — Beacon Road
New cameras join school-bus, red-light and license-plate systems
The school-zone speed program is the latest expansion of Lakeland’s automated traffic-enforcement efforts. The city already operates red-light cameras at several major intersections and a growing network of license-plate reader cameras to help police investigate crimes and locate wanted vehicles.
The City Commission voted last year to expand its contract with Arizona-based Verra Mobility, to give Lakeland more than 60 automated enforcement and reader cameras, once all of the new equipment is fully activated.
Verra Mobility also supplies Polk County Public Schools’ bus-mounted stop arm cameras.
City officials call the technology a “force multiplier” that improves safety and fills gaps where officers can’t constantly be stationed. Some residents have raised privacy concerns, but police leaders say the systems operate only in public areas and are focused on traffic safety and crime prevention.
More details about the school-zone speed camera program — including FAQs and enforcement timing — are available on the Lakeland Police Department website.
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