The Titusville Police Department will transition from warnings to $100 civil penalties today, Monday, May 11, for drivers caught speeding in designated school zones by automated cameras.

The move marks the end of a 60-day public awareness period that began March 9. During the grace period, the city issued warnings to registered owners of vehicles recorded traveling at least 11 mph over the posted speed limit. Starting Monday, those violations will result in a formal notice of violation mailed to the vehicle owner.

“I want to be clear about the purpose of this program. This is about changing driver behavior and protecting children,” Titusville Police Department Deputy Chief Tyler Wright said during the program’s launch. “Speed safety cameras are not a replacement for police officers, but they are a force multiplier and a proven tool that helps reduce speeding, crashes, and pedestrian injuries.”

Phase 1 Locations and Enforcement
The first phase of the program focuses on six school locations where preliminary studies by the city and technology partner Altumint showed high rates of speeding. According to city data, some locations saw as many as 76% of vehicles exceeding the limit by 11 mph or more during school hours.

The active Phase 1 locations include:

• Apollo Elementary: Knox McRae Drive
• Coquina Elementary: 850 Knox McRae Drive
• Andrew Jackson Middle: 1515 Knox McRae Drive
• St. Teresa Catholic School: 207 Ojibway Avenue
• Park Avenue Christian Academy: 2600 S. Park Avenue
• Titusville High School: S. Hopkins Avenue and Amos Lewis Street (formerly Sycamore Street)

The cameras are active throughout the entire school day, including 30 minutes before and after the start and end of classes. Under Florida House Bill 657, which authorized the technology statewide in 2023, the automated systems use radar or LiDAR to capture images and video of the rear of a vehicle and its license plate.

Fines and Legal Impact
While the fine is $100, the violation is classified as a civil penalty. It does not result in points on a driver’s license and cannot be used by insurance companies to increase rates.

Every violation is reviewed by a Titusville police officer before a citation is issued. If the $100 penalty is not paid or contested within 30 days of the notice, it may escalate to a Uniform Traffic Citation.

The revenue from the fines is distributed according to state law: $60 remains with the city for public safety initiatives, $12 goes to the Brevard County School District, and the remainder is split between state funds and the School Crossing Guard Recruitment and Retention Program.

Author: Michael