Charlotte County is rolling out a major initiative to improve safety in school zones, and it’s about to get a whole lot more high-tech. Soon, speed cameras will be enforcing school zone speed limits, starting with warnings on February 27. If you think speeding past those kids doesn’t come with consequences, think again—starting April 1, you’ll find yourself receiving a $100 ticket for zipping past those limits by just 11 miles per hour or more.
Nine schools will be monitored during this initial phase, including local favorites like Deep Creek Elementary and L.A. Ainger Middle School. Parents have welcomed the program, voicing concerns about reckless drivers in the areas where their kids walk. As one concerned parent put it, it’s a great way to slow things down and keep children safe. Who wouldn’t want that extra peace of mind during pick-up and drop-off?
The program is designed to be self-funded with money generated going back into school safety initiatives, so it’s nice to see a plan that prioritizes community welfare without siphoning off tax dollars. Additional signage and a new beacon monitoring system will also help alert drivers when they need to slow down. With this step, Charlotte County hopes to create a safer environment for students, making school zones less of a rush hour and more of a safe zone for our little learners. After all, we want our children to remember their school days for learning, not dodging speeding cars!