Back to School Online Resource Center
Keeping Our Kids Safe, Together
As students return to school, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is reminding every driver that school zone speed limits are in place for one reason: protecting children.
Whether you're dropping off your child, commuting to work, or simply passing through, slowing down in a school zone could save a life. When the yellow school zone lights are flashing, drivers must obey the posted reduced speed limit.
Sheriff Chad Chronister has zero tolerance for drivers who choose to speed through school zones and put children at risk.
"School zone speed limits are not suggestions; they're the law,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “These cameras are designed to protect children, not generate revenue. If the yellow lights are flashing and you're speeding through a school zone, expect a citation. There is no excuse for putting a child's life at risk."
Drivers are reminded that Florida law requires drivers to be 100% hands-free while traveling through school zones. This means drivers cannot hold a phone for any reason, including making calls or sending texts, while in these zones.
School zone speed limits and hands-free requirements are the law, and #teamHCSO is committed to enforcing them.
Tips for Drivers:
- Slow down in school zones.
- Watch for flashing yellow lights.
- Eliminate distractions behind the wheel.
- Be alert for children walking, biking, and crossing.
- Obey the speed limit: it's the law.
Tips for Parents:
- Talk with your child about safely walking to and from school.
- Use designated crosswalks and obey crossing guards.
- Encourage children to stay alert and keep phones put away while crossing streets.
- Allow extra time during the first weeks of school.
To help protect students, Hillsborough County uses Speed Detection Cameras at 29 schools throughout the county.
HCSO has partnered with RedSpeed to provide digital technology for this critical safety initiative, making school zones safer for students.
These cameras are designed to improve driver compliance, reduce speeding, and increase safety for children traveling to and from school.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reviews every potential violation before a citation is issued.
If the yellow lights ARE flashing:
The reduced school zone speed limit is in effect.
If the yellow lights are NOT flashing:
The regularly posted speed limit applies.
Keep in mind that a school zone may display a "Speed Limit Photo Enforced" sign during school hours, but the reduced speed limit is only enforced while the yellow lights are actively flashing during arrival and dismissal periods.
Watch video to see how the School Speed Zone Cameras workIf you are traveling more than 10 mph over the posted school zone speed limit while the lights are flashing:
- You may receive a $100 Notice of Violation.
Every potential violation goes through a multi-step review process before any notice is issued, which includes a review from two or more RedSpeed team members and concludes with a final review by HCSO to ensure accuracy and compliance.
The cameras help reduce speeding in school zones, improve driver compliance, and protect students during arrival and dismissal.
There are currently 28 Hillsborough County schools equipped with school zone speed detection cameras.
Only when the yellow warning lights are flashing, indicating the reduced school zone speed limit is in effect.
Drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the posted school zone speed limit may receive a $100 Notice of Violation.
Every potential violation goes through a multi-step review process before any notice is issued, which includes a review from two or more RedSpeed team members and concludes with a final review by HCSO to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Payment instructions are included with every mailed Notice of Violation. Citations may be paid by mail or by phone using the information provided on the notice. You can also visit: visit RedSpeed's portal at https://secure.speedviolation.com.
Here is the breakdown:
$20 — Florida Department of Revenue into the General Revenue Fund.
$60 — County funding used to administer school zone speed detection systems and support other public safety initiatives.
$3 — Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund.
$12 — School security initiatives, including student transportation safety and improving conditions for students walking to and from school.
$5 — County school crossing guard recruitment and retention programs.
No. The purpose of the program is to improve safety and change driver behavior in school zones. The goal is simple: slow drivers down and protect children.
In 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 657, making speed cameras legal in Florida for the first time. This bill permits the use of speed cameras in school zones.
The first trial began at Riverview High School on November 19, 2024, after the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, launched "Operation Safe Passage," a traffic safety program aimed at protecting students and enhancing road safety.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 657 in 2023, making speed cameras legal in Florida for the first time by allowing their use in school zones. Hillsborough County worked to implement the cameras following the bill’s passage.
No, points will not be imposed on the vehicle owner's driving record for violations detected by the speed cameras.
Photographic evidence will be used to issue a Notice of Violation to the registered owner of a vehicle. The vehicle must exceed the posted speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour. The Notice of Violation will include the date, time, location, and photographic evidence of the violation.
When the school zone lights are not flashing, the normal speed limit will be enforced during the posted time period. When the lights are flashing, the reduced school zone speed limit is enforced. Violations will be issued to drivers exceeding 10 miles per hour.
Signage has been placed before the school zones that are clearly visible, providing a warning to drivers that the roads are enforced by cameras.
For questions about a photo-enforced Notice of Violation, please email CameraSquad@teamHCSO.com or call 813-247-8264.