New Pinecrest School Zone Camera Safety Program
Back-to-School season is in full swing in the Village of Pinecrest but have you seen the newest addition around our school campuses? The Pinecrest School Zone Camera Safety Program (authorized by Florida law HB657) relies on speed cameras to monitor and enforce speed limits throughout the school day. In addition to the cameras themselves, you’ll notice new signage announcing their presence and monitoring hours.
“Our goal is to change the driving habits of people who drive around the school zones. We need to get them to slow down,” said Chief Jason Cohen with the Village of Pinecrest Police Department.
When and where are the cameras currently operating?
The cameras monitor speeds for the entirety of the school day, including 30 minutes before start and 30 minutes after dismissal, at the following schools in Pinecrest:
- Beth Am’s Rambam Day School
- Gulliver Preparatory
- True North
- Pinecrest Elementary
- Palmetto Elementary
- Palmetto Middle
- Miami Palmetto Senior High
How does it work?
- If you are caught speeding in a school zone during school hours you may receive a notice of violation in the mail. The vehicle must exceed the posted speed limit by more than ten (10) mph. The Notice of Violation will include the date, time, location, and photographic evidence of the violation.
- If the camera catches you speeding the fine is $100, if a police officer catches you speeding the fine could be in excess of $300.
- Addressing the violation under a Notice of Violation status does not negatively impact the driver’s license or insurance. Failure to comply with the Notice of Violation options within 30 days of issuance will result in the issuance of a Florida Uniform Traffic Citation.
- Learn more at the Village of Pinecrest Website
Our Take
As a mom to a second grader at a Pinecrest school, and a village resident near Palmetto Senior High, I’m delighted to have a new program in place that will keep our streets more leisurely and less like race tracks. But that 15 mph is slower than it feels so, even with the best of intentions, keep an eye on that speedometer.
Let us know in the comments below what you think about this new addition to our school zones?
