Drive on for school zones cameras in Lee County
Motorists who speed through a school zone could soon be paying fines to Lee County without even being pulled over by a police officer to face a ticket and court summons.
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted this past week to authorize the Lee County Department of Transportation to pursue speed zone cameras that could start sending violators fines in the mail as soon as the beginning of the next school year.
The measure was introduced by Lee County District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, who said he has been actively working with county officials on the issue. Asked by Commissioner Brian Hamman if he had a vendor in mind or if there would be a request for proposals, Pendergrass deferred to Lee County Department of Transportation Director Robert Price. Price said staff has already begun looking into it and could either join in on a contract that a municipality has for the cameras or go out to bid.
Lee County Attorney Richard Wesch said a county ordinance would need to be enacted by the county commissioners for the new enforcement to take effect. A public hearing would need to take place before the ordinance can be adopted as law.
Pendergrass said the new speed zone cameras would be placed in school speed zones in the county’s unincorporated area where the speed limit is currently 15 miles per hour during certain times of the day. Pendergrass said the cameras would only be activated in a “30- to 45-minute timeline” during weekdays and not on weekends or in the summer when school is out.
Pendergrass framed the new enforcement mechanism as a way to protect the safety of pedestrians by installing traffic cameras throughout the county near schools.
“We are all concerned about pedestrian safety,” Pendergrass said. “They (motorists) do not slow down,” he said. “There is too much for law enforcement to physically observe.”
Pendergrass said cameras would be placed in more than a dozen school zones in unincorporated Lee County through automatic video enforcement.
“I think there is 14 (school zones) in unincorporated Lee County,” Pendergrass said.
Cape Coral is in the process of installing cameras and implementing a similar system within the city limits.
Pendergrass said the excess revenue generated from the cameras could be used for sidewalks and signage in the school zones.
“I’ve never been a supporter of red light cameras or anything like this but I think based upon the safety of the children, it’s a 30-minute to 45-minute time zone there,” Pendergrass said. “Every driver should respect the law and follow the law. People aren’t paying attention. They are driving through school zones at 50 miles per hour and it’s 15. Kids are present. It’s hopeful we will get people’s attention and slow down through the school zones.”
Commissioners unanimously adopted the motion by Pendergrass.
Christine Deramo, the executive assistant for Pendergrass, said the commissioner would be able to discuss the issue further with more detail when it comes back before the Board of County Commissioners at a future meeting.