Tallahassee’s new school zone speed cameras raked in a staggering $318,000 in fines during just their first month of operation, raising serious questions about whether this program is primarily about child safety or generating government revenue.
Key Takeaways
- Just two speed cameras near Tallahassee schools have issued 3,179 speeding tickets in a single month, generating nearly $318,000 in fines.
- The city has already collected $124,000 from these fines, with plans to install 23 additional cameras that could generate $18.6 million annually.
- Drivers exceeding the school zone speed limit by more than 10 mph receive $100 tickets, with the city keeping $39 per violation after various deductions.
- The cameras operate throughout the school day, including 30 minutes before and after sessions, but remain off during weekends and school breaks.
- Leon County plans to implement similar cameras outside city limits with identical fine structures.
Big Government’s Latest Revenue Stream
Tallahassee’s implementation of school zone speed cameras represents yet another example of government agencies finding creative ways to extract money from hardworking citizens. In just one month, two cameras have issued 3,179 speeding tickets, generating a windfall of nearly $318,000 in fines. Of this amount, the city has already collected approximately $124,000, demonstrating the lucrative nature of this program that operates under the guise of protecting children.
The current active cameras are strategically positioned near Ruediger Elementary, Raa Middle School, and DeSoto Trail Elementary. What’s particularly concerning is the ambitious expansion plan that would add 23 more cameras across Tallahassee. City officials project these additional cameras could generate around 40,000 tickets monthly and bring in approximately $1.5 million for the city. When fully operational, the complete system could potentially generate $18.6 million annually – a substantial windfall that certainly incentivizes aggressive enforcement.
How The System Works
The cameras operate throughout the entire school day, including 30 minutes before and after school sessions. They are programmed to shut down during weekends and school breaks, creating a system that maximizes revenue collection during peak traffic periods. Tickets are automatically issued to drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 mph, with each violation carrying a $100 fine. The distribution of this money speaks volumes about the program’s priorities: $39 goes to the city’s coffers, while the remaining $61 is split between the State of Florida, local school board, crossing guard program, and law enforcement education.
“You can’t drive 26 [miles per hour] or you’ll get a ticket,” said TPD Chief Lawrence Revell.
Tallahassee has entered into a five-year contract with RedSpeed Florida, LLC for the camera system. These cameras will be installed at 25 different school zones throughout the city, with locations potentially subject to change based on violation rates. This flexibility allows the city to maximize revenue by targeting the most profitable enforcement areas. Meanwhile, Leon County is planning to implement an identical system with the same $100 fine structure for speeders outside city limits, expanding this revenue-generating scheme throughout the region.
Safety Concerns vs. Revenue Generation
While city officials insist the program’s primary goal is enhancing safety in school zones, the financial incentives are impossible to ignore. The program has already influenced city budget decisions, with officials claiming it aims to be “cost-neutral” for taxpayers. However, with projections of $18.6 million in annual revenue, it’s clear this initiative will be far more than cost-neutral – it will be immensely profitable for local government, representing yet another tax on citizens through aggressive enforcement.
“Long term, yes, I think it’s going to be a huge success for us as far as trying to deter any type of speeding that’s going to end up possibly hurting a child or a school crossing guard or teacher, or parent,” said TPD Major Jeff Mahoney.
Officials point to extreme cases to justify the program, with Major Mahoney noting, “Obviously, 73 miles per hour is a problem.” While such dangerous speeding certainly warrants enforcement, the vast majority of tickets are likely issued to drivers just slightly over the threshold, many of whom may be unaware of the strict enforcement or momentarily inattentive rather than deliberately endangering children. This widespread ticketing of ordinary citizens raises valid concerns about whether this program primarily serves public safety or government coffers.
The Growing Surveillance State
The implementation of these automated enforcement systems represents another troubling expansion of government surveillance and automated revenue collection. With minimal human oversight, these systems remove discretion and context from law enforcement, treating minor infractions the same as dangerous behavior. The cameras operate as judge, jury, and executioner, issuing tickets without considering mitigating circumstances that a human officer might take into account, creating a system that prioritizes efficiency and revenue over fairness.
As Tallahassee’s program demonstrates early financial success, taxpayers should remain vigilant. While protecting children in school zones is an unquestionably worthy goal, citizens must ask whether automated enforcement systems that generate millions in revenue are truly about safety or simply another example of government overreach designed to extract more money from hardworking Americans who are already struggling with inflation and high taxes under the current administration’s economic policies.
