Back to School, Back to Safety: TPD Reinforces School Zone Speed Limits

August 07, 2025

As families gear up for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, the Tallahassee Police Department is once again turning on its School Zone Speed Enforcement Program to help keep students, educators, crossing guards and families safe.

The program, which launched last year, uses cameras and speed detection equipment in these designated school zones to enforce speed limits throughout the school day. It's all part of a larger effort to change driver behavior and reduce speeding near schools, because when drivers slow down, lives are protected.

"This program is about more than issuing violations," Chief Lawrence Revell said. "It's about changing behavior. We want drivers to pause and think, 'Am I doing my part to keep kids safe?' Our goal is to prevent tragedy before it strikes and ensure school zones are a place where children, teachers and crossing guards feel protected."

When a vehicle is caught traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the posted school zone speed limit, a Notice of Violation is mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. Each notice includes the date, time, location and photographic proof of the infraction.

Remember:

• School zone cameras operate during the entire school day.
• This includes:
• 30 minutes before school breakfast programs begin,
• Through dismissal, and
• 30 minutes after the final bell rings.
• When the flashing beacons are on, the reduced speed limit (usually 15 or 20 mph) is in effect. When the beacons are off, the regular speed limit applies.
• Cameras do not operate on weekends, school holidays, teacher planning days or during extended breaks.

To give drivers time to adjust, a 30-day warning period will begin on Monday, August 11, 2025. During this time, warning letters will be mailed to violators, but no fines will be issued. Full enforcement begins Thursday, September 11, 2025, when Notice of Violations will carry a $100 penalty.

The School Zone Speed Enforcement Program supports the City of Tallahassee's commitment to public safety. By encouraging drivers to follow the law and slow down, the initiative aims to prevent crashes and protect our community's most valuable resource – our children.

For more information about the program and the list of school zones being camera-enforced, visit Talgov.com/Police.