Starting August 11, 2026—coinciding with the start of the new Polk County school year—Lakeland’s automated school-zone safety program will transition from issuing warning notices to issuing $100 civil citations.
The program, installed earlier this year under the city’s Vision Zero initiative, aims to curb speeding and protect students, school staff, and pedestrians in active school zones.
How Enforcement Works
- Trigger Threshold: Citations are triggered when a vehicle travels more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit during active school-zone hours (when yellow lights are flashing).
- Police Review: The 14 automated cameras record the vehicle’s speed and license plate. Every potential violation is individually reviewed and verified by the Lakeland Police Department before a ticket is sent out.
- Penalties: A $100 civil citation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. These photo-enforcement citations carry no driver’s license points.
Camera Locations
The 14 speed enforcement cameras are actively monitoring near eight school entrance zones.
- Lincoln Academy: 10th Street (Eastbound & Westbound)
- Crystal Lake Elementary / Middle School: North & South Crystal Lake Drive (Eastbound & Westbound)
- Southwest Middle School: South Lincoln Avenue (Westbound)
- North Lakeland Elementary: West Robson Street (Eastbound & Westbound)
- Lakeland High School: Hollingsworth Road (Northbound)
- Lakeland Highlands Middle School: Lake Miriam Drive (Eastbound)
- Sleepy Hill Elementary: Sleepy Hill Road (Westbound)
- Dixieland Elementary / Southwest Elementary / Southwest Middle: Beacon Road
Detailed program information and violation payment procedures can be accessed directly on the City of Lakeland School Zone Safety Program portal
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