LEESBURG, Fla. — On Monday night, city commissioners in Leesburg passed an ordinance that would enact a new speed camera system in various school zones before the start of the school year.

What You Need To Know

  • Various cities in Florida, like Leesburg, are following suit behind Eustis, which introduced the speed camera system in its school zones in February

  • Leesburg commissioners approved an ordinance that would allow for the installation of speed cameras in seven school zones to protect students and faculty

  • The new program will begin with a 30-day trial period in August, and speeders will receive notice in the mail

  • After the 30-day trial period, any drivers caught speeding in school zones will be fined $100 

Leesburg Mayor Jimmy Burry says it all boils down to making his city’s school zones safer come Aug. 12.

The game plan is to have the cameras set up before the first day of school in the seven school zones that met the city’s criteria.

It’s a new spin on safety that various cities in Florida have decided to take on to protect students and faculty near school zones. 

“You’re not supposed to be speeding in those areas," Burry says. "If you’re speeding in those areas, people are going to get tickets.”

According to Police Chief Joe Iozzi, the program will begin as a 30-day trial period when fines will not be administered.

But for those caught violating the speed limit, they will receive a notice through the mail.

Iozzi adds that after this 30-day period is over, anyone driving 10 mph over the speed limit when the school zone is active will get a $100 fine.

Iozzi warns drivers that these fines can be administered throughout the entire day, even when it’s not during regular school hours, when drivers exceed the normal speed limit by 10 mph.

He says the reason why is to protect students, even when they are late to school or when they are leaving early.

Iozzi adds that these fines are civil infractions that will not assess points on drivers’ licenses unless they fail to take care of the ticket within 30 days of receiving one.

Parents like James Hobgood have demanded an initiative like this one. 

“I’ve got a couple kids that go (to school), too," Hobgood says. "It’s on a main highway, that are going to Leesburg Elementary here. It’s a big deal to keep them safe.” 

He adds that one of his friends was badly injured after getting hit by a car in a school zone in broad daylight.

Hobgood explains that his friend was “crossing the road with the school’s traffic officer with the crossing guard” at the time of the incident.

Hobgood says he’s looking forward to having these extra sets of eyes in school zones.

Leesburg plans to unveil the cameras for the public to see on Aug. 8, four days before the start of the school year.

The seven schools that will implement these speed camera systems are:

  • Leesburg Elementary School
  • Oak Park Middle School
  • Carver Middle School
  • Beverly Shores Elementary School
  • Leesburg High School
  • St. Paul’s Catholic School
  • Lake Montessori