School speed zone cameras activated for 2026-27
By Lisa Neff
For many local kids, it’s back to the books, as a new school year began Aug. 10.
For motorists who navigate the roads around Manatee County’s schools, it’s time to ease up on the gas pedal or apply the brakes because school speed zone limits are in effect.
In Bradenton, under a police department-operated program, cameras are in use to monitor nine speed zones for 10 schools: Ballard Elementary, Bradenton Christian, G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary, Jessie P. Miller Elementary, Manatee Elementary, Manatee High, H.S. Moody Elementary and Sugg Middle, Robert H. Prine Elementary and Sea Breeze Elementary. The nine zones encompass 10 schools because the Moody Elementary and Sugg Middle School zones are shared.
The cameras monitor speeds beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of school and 30 minutes after school to enforce a reduced speed limit during arrival and dismissal times. The cameras also enforce the regular speed limit throughout the school day.
For example, the enforcement period at Manatee High School on the 3300 block of Ninth Avenue West is 7 a.m.-2:55 p.m. and the enforcement period at J.P. Miller on 43rd Street West is 7:55 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
Motorists traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit in a school zone will trigger a notice to the registered owner to pay a $100 violation.
“The easiest way to avoid a violation is also the cheapest: Drive the speed limit,” reads a tip from the BPD on its social media accounts.
A 2023 Florida law authorizing school speed zone cameras allows for local governments to implement enforcement programs. The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted to do so in February 2024 but then reversed its decision in March 2025.
The Bradenton City Council also decided to implement a program in 2024 and stayed the course with camera enforcement, which the BPD maintains has seen success.
“The city conducted speed studies before the camera installation and another study one year after installation,” said BPD public information manager Meredith Censullo. “There was a significant decrease in the number of speeders.”
On March 12, 2024, before the city authorized installation of the cameras, a study found 3,464 drivers exceeded the posted speed limit by 11 mph or more in a single day in the nine zones.
A year later, on March 4, 2025, a study found 326 motorists were speeding by 11 miles per hour or higher over the posted speed limit in a single day in the nine zones.
“A 90.58% year-over-year reduction in speeding,” Censullo said.
Last school year, camera enforcement resulted in the issuance of 17,177 violation notices.
The schools where the highest number of notices were issued last year include Rogers with 3,342; Ballard with 2,833 and Sea Breeze with 2,440.
The highest recorded speed in a school zone last year was 73 mph. This was on 59th Street West near Moody and Sugg.
“BPD considers the cameras a force multiplier,” Censullo said. “We don’t have the manpower to police school zones consistently every day. The cameras allow us to monitor speeding issues while also responding to calls for service.”
But the use of cameras does not eliminate an officer presence at schools. For the first days of classes, a first responder — police, fire and emergency medical services — would be present at every school in the city.
“The goal is to draw attention to the public that school is back in session and to be on the lookout for students,” Censullo said. “It’s also a way to welcome kids back to class.”