The City of Lake Wales will launch a School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement Program in Fall 2025. This safety initiative is designed to reduce speed-related incidents and promote safer driving habits, especially during school hours. Data captured by a third-party traffic study indicated drivers exceeding the speed limit at four designated school zones.
School Zones to be Enforced:
Hillcrest Elementary - Eastbound and Westbound on State Road 60
McLaughlin Academy of Excellence - Northbound and Southbound on Scenic Highway between Domaris Avenue and Winston Avenue
Spook Hill Elementary, Victory Ridge Academy and Lake Wales High School - Eastbound and Westbound on Burns Avenue
Once the technology is installed, a promotion campaign with the start date will be published in advanced on social media and the City of Lake Wales website. A 30-day warning period will commence on the start date of the enforcement program, during which violators will receive a written warning instead of a citation. Following this period, full enforcement will begin and citations will be issued. Each violation will result in a $100 fine with no points being assessed to the driver's license.
Note: Enforcement will begin approximately 15 minutes before school starts and will run throughout the school day until 15 minutes after school ends. Motorists are encouraged to travel at 15 miles per hour when the school zone lights are flashing and travel at designated speeds indicated by the speed limit signs. When a violation occurs the system will record the date, time, location, vehicle speed and license plate number. A citation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle and will include images of the violation and documented speed. All citations will be reviewed and approved by a Lake Wales Police Officer before being issued.