Boca Raton to begin automated speed enforcement in certain school zones this fall

BOCA RATON — Automated cameras will begin enforcing speed limits in select school zones in Boca Raton this fall, targeting drivers who exceed posted limits during arrival and dismissal hours.

The initiative will roll out in two phases during the 2025–2026 school year, starting with three schools where cameras will automatically issue $100 civil fines to drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more during school zone hours. Unlike traditional traffic tickets, these citations carry no points and do not affect insurance rates, city officials said.

“Safety is always our top priority,” Police Chief Michele Miuccio said. “By slowing drivers down in school zones, we’re taking a proactive step to protect students, pedestrians and the rest of our community.”

The program reflects a broader effort across Florida to leverage technology in addressing longstanding concerns about speeding in areas where children walk and bike to school. That shift was made possible by House Bill 657, a state law passed in 2023 that authorizes the use of automated enforcement cameras in school zones during designated hours.

“This program reinforces our ongoing commitment to public safety in Boca Raton,” Mayor Scott Singer said. “As a parent, I understand how important it is to know our students are protected. These cameras are an effective, responsible solution to curb dangerous driving behavior in the areas where our children walk and bike to school.”

City officials said the decision to adopt the program came after traffic studies showed frequent speeding in school zones. Similar camera-based enforcement efforts in other cities have been linked to reduced speeding and greater compliance with posted limits — outcomes Boca Raton officials hope to replicate.

The rollout will happen in two phases, beginning with three schools this fall and expanding to four more later in the school year. Below are the locations and enforcement hours where drivers should expect increased monitoring.

Phase 1 (start of 2025-2026 school year)

• Addison Mizner Elementary SchoolSW 12th Ave.School hours: 8 a.m.-2:05 p.m.

• Boca Raton Community High SchoolNW 15th Ave. and Glades Rd.School hours: 8:30 a.m.-3:20 p.m.

• J.C. Mitchell Elementary SchoolNW 5th Ave.School hours: 8 a.m.-2:05 p.m.

Phase 2 (will be added during 2025-26 school year)

• Blue Lake Elementary SchoolMilitary Trail and Potomac Rd.School hours: 8 a.m.-2:05 p.m.

• Calusa Elementary SchoolClint Moore Rd.School hours: 8 a.m.-2:05 p.m.

• Omni Middle SchoolJog Rd. and Yamato Rd.School hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:05 p.m.

• Spanish River Community High SchoolJog Rd. and Yamato Rd.School hours: 8:30 a.m.-3:20 p.m.

The RedSpeed camera system records photographic evidence of every violation, capturing details such as the date, time, location, vehicle speed and license plate number, according to city officials. All data is securely encrypted and sent to a centralized server for processing, ensuring integrity and compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

For more information about the Boca Raton School Zone Safety Program, visit the Boca Raton Police Department’s website.

The speeding crackdown in school zones follows that in Wellington, which also will be using cameras to track speeding violations around 11 schools within the village throughout the entire school day, not just when lights are flashing.

Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New speed cameras aim to slow drivers near Boca Raton schools