Confusing School Zone Camera Law Leads to Thousands of Contested Fines in Florida
A well-intentioned initiative to keep students safe is leaving thousands of Florida drivers confused, frustrated, and fined—often with no way to fight back. ABC Action News investigative reporter Katie LaGrone joined The Ryan Gorman Show to break down her findings on school zone speed cameras and the legal gray area that’s putting drivers in an unfair bind.
"It's a noble program," LaGrone said of the cameras, which automatically ticket drivers who speed through designated school zones. The goal is clear: protect kids. But the law backing the technology is anything but.
Since the cameras began rolling out across Florida in 2024, drivers have received $100 tickets for speeding during times when school zone signs weren't flashing. Many believed they were following the standard 40 mph limit, unaware that the reduced 20 mph school zone was still in effect. The root of the confusion? Signs that read "20 MPH When Flashing" that don’t actually have to flash to trigger a fine.
LaGrone explained that the law passed by the state legislature doesn't require those flashing lights to be on for a ticket to be valid—a loophole that has led to nearly 4,400 citations in Hillsborough County alone, with not a single one dismissed. Even administrative hearing officers overseeing appeals have described the law as a "mess" and acknowledged how confusing it is for drivers.
"It's not the intent of the law that's the problem," LaGrone noted. "It's the implementation and the lack of clarity." Some municipalities, like Manatee County and the City of Palm Bay, have already suspended their camera programs, citing fairness and accuracy concerns.
Critics say the system feels like a cash grab. While officials claim the money funds student safety efforts, the cameras are operated by for-profit vendors. Even teachers, including some who've been fined, have voiced frustration. One teacher told LaGrone, "When the sign says 20 mph when flashing and it’s not flashing, why am I getting fined at 4:30 when the school day is done?"
There may be movement toward change. State Rep. Susan Valdes, who co-sponsored the original bill, had to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office mid-interview for clarity. After realizing the confusion firsthand, she acknowledged the need to revisit and revise the law.
To hear more from Katie LaGrone’s investigation—including her revealing interview with Rep. Valdes—listen to the full episode of The Ryan Gorman Show.