Study shows thousands speeding through Alachua County school zones
Automobiles

Study shows thousands speeding through Alachua County school zones

Slow down, or you might find a speeding ticket in your mailbox soon.

Alachua County commissioners voted last week to begin a public information campaign warning drivers that they may soon be fined for speeding in school zones as they begin to use speed detection systems to enforce speed limits near schools.

The county is backing up its decision using a study, conducted by a group called RedSpeed, that found more than 16,500 drivers exceeded posted speed limits by more than 10 miles per hour across 18 Alachua County school zones during the study that evaluated a 12-hour period in each zone.

The decision comes after a new state law gave municipal governments the ability to use such systems, including cameras, to enforce school zone speed limits. The county is embracing a $100 fine for those detected driving 11 miles per hour or more over the speed limit.