Florida’s School Speed Zone Cameras: The Unstoppable Money Machine You Can’t Win Against

Hello everyone. Today, we’re diving into the world of Florida’s school speed zone cameras—a topic that, much like a bad case of shingles, just keeps coming back to irritate the public. If you thought traffic enforcement was about safety, well, buckle up, because this is a masterclass in legislative malpractice, bureaucratic confusion, and, of course, a healthy dose of revenue generation. Let’s dissect this mess, shall we?

The Anatomy of a Money Grab

First, let’s get to the heart of the matter: Florida’s new school speed zone cameras have generated at least $32 million since the fall. That’s right, $32 million, with a cool $6.7 million going straight into the pockets of RedSpeed, the camera vendor. The rest, we’re told, is earmarked for public safety initiatives like crossing guards and police training. Because nothing says “protect the children” like a confusing sign and a $100 fine.

But here’s the kicker: if you try to appeal one of these fines, you’re almost guaranteed to lose. It’s like going to the doctor for a second opinion and being told, “Sorry, the first diagnosis stands, and by the way, that’ll be another $75 for the consultation.” In Hillsborough County, of nearly 4,400 violations issued since January, just 46 have been contested. And as of July 24, not a single contested violation had been dismissed. That’s a 0% success rate, folks. Even my worst patients have better odds of surviving a triple bypass.

The Law: A Prescription for Confusion

Now, let’s talk about the law itself. The signage requirements for school speed zones only require signs to designate when the school zone is in effect. So even if a sign says “20 mph when flashing,” the light doesn’t actually have to be flashing for you to get cited. It’s like prescribing medication and telling the patient, “Take two pills when the bottle glows in the dark,” but the bottle never glows. Yet, if you don’t take the pills, you’re still in trouble.

Drivers are understandably confused. Some are caught by cameras when the signs aren’t flashing, others are tripped up by signs with up to four different start and stop times in tiny print. It’s a veritable Rorschach test for motorists—interpret it how you will, but the state will still find you guilty.

Even the magistrate presiding over these appeals, Dr. Tom Santarlas, has openly complained about the law’s confusing language. He’s described his hands as “handcuffed” by the law, forced to uphold violations even when the flashing beacon wasn’t flashing. It’s a rare moment when the judge is as frustrated as the defendants, but here we are.

The Appeals Process: A Terminal Diagnosis

If you decide to contest your citation, be prepared to pay an extra $75 in court costs. That’s right, you have to pay for the privilege of losing. It’s like charging a patient for a follow-up appointment where you tell them, “Sorry, you’re still sick.”

Take Karen Nowman, for example. She was fined after a camera caught her going 33 mph through a school zone while picking up her son. The sign wasn’t flashing, students were gone, but she still got nailed. She paid the extra $75 to appeal, only to be told that the law doesn’t care if the sign was flashing or not. As she put it, “There’s no point in even trying to fight for the case.” And she’s right. Of the nearly half a million violations issued by RedSpeed across Florida, about 3,000 were challenged, and less than 300 have been dismissed. That’s less than a 10% success rate—worse odds than surviving a heart attack in a back alley clinic.

The Vendor’s Perspective: Just Take Your Medicine

David De La Espriella, a former assistant police chief turned RedSpeed client relations director, insists that the law is “an excellent law.” He claims it’s “violator-funded” and that if you don’t want to pay $100, “don’t speed in school zones and you won’t get a citation.” Simple, right? Except when the signs are misleading, the lights aren’t flashing, and the law is written in a way that would make even a seasoned neurologist’s head spin.

De La Espriella refutes any notion that the violations are an easy cash grab. But when the system is designed to be nearly impossible to beat, and the vendor is pocketing millions, it’s hard not to see this as a lucrative side hustle masquerading as public safety.

Legislative Malpractice: Time for a Second Opinion?

FL Representative Susan Valdes, who co-sponsored the law, is now considering introducing a revised law next session to clarify signage requirements. It’s about time. The current law is a textbook case of legislative malpractice—vague, confusing, and ripe for abuse. It’s like prescribing a medication without specifying the dosage, then blaming the patient for overdosing.

Until then, drivers are left to navigate a system that’s stacked against them. As one driver put it, “It just feels like a gotcha moment, like a money grab, a little bit more than just concern for child safety.” And who can blame them?

Conclusion: Prognosis Negative

In summary, Florida’s school speed zone cameras are a perfect storm of legislative incompetence, bureaucratic indifference, and corporate greed. The law is confusing, the appeals process is a joke, and the only people benefiting are the vendors and the state coffers. If this were a medical procedure, it would be malpractice. If it were a prescription, it would be a placebo—offering the illusion of safety while delivering nothing but frustration and financial pain.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is entirely my opinion.

Source: Drivers who appeal school speed zone camera fines almost guaranteed to lose, abcactionnews.com