Eustis first in state to install school zone speed enforcement cameras

EUSTIS, Fla. – Drivers might notice a change and want to take extra caution driving in school zones after Eustis implemented the state’s first school zone speed enforcement cameras.

Installed by Altumint, the cameras were placed at the corner of Orange Avenue and Prescott Street near Eustis Elementary School. The area was identified by Altumint and Eustis as a “high-risk” area for speeding.

“Altumint is dedicated to helping protect communities through better road safety to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities,” Altumint CEO Holly Cooper said. “We are proud to begin a new chapter for traffic safety in Florida by partnering with the City of Eustis to implement the first school zone speed enforcement cameras in the state and initiating a public information campaign to educate local citizens.”

Eustis’ first-of-its-kind rollout follows a recent Florida law allowing municipalities to put cameras in school zones. It also penalizes drivers for speeding in excess of ten miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

HB 657, passed in 2023, was filed by Traci Koster, R-Tampa.

According to the announcement, the cameras were installed to help the city reduce speeding violations, enhance traffic safety, and protect the well-being of its residents.

To educate drivers, a 30-day warning period will be given to the presence of the cameras. During that time, drivers will not be issued citations for driving in excess of 10 miles over the posted speed limit in the school zone.

Currently, state law sets citation fines at $100 with no points given to the owner. All violations will be reviewed by the Eustis Police Department.

“These cameras are put in place to save the lives of our students going to school,” Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri said. “Our hope isn’t to issue tickets. This is about encouraging drivers to change their behavior, slow down, and protect their fellow Eustis residents.”

Cameras will be active Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

According to a Florida Road Safety report through Altumint, Florida ranked the third worst state for pedestrian traffic fatalities.

“This is a proud moment for the City of Eustis, as we take the lead as the first city in Florida to implement this program to safeguard our school children on their commute to and from school,” Eustis Mayor Michael Holland said. “We hope Eustis becomes the model for other cities to follow as they pursue safer roads for all of their residents.”