We can all agree that the safety of all residents, and especially our children, must be our community’s top priority. But speeding, and distracted and unsafe driving pose a dire risk to our schoolchildren. That’s why I support Miami-Dade County introducing school safety devices in school zones to cut down on speeding and help keep kids safe.
The need is undeniable, with Miami-Dade County police having issued nearly 2,500 speeding tickets in school zones in 2022 alone.
Across the county, cities and local municipalities are taking immediate action with automatic devices in school zones to ensure children do not suffer preventable injury or even death because of unsafe driving on school roads. The Florida Legislature authorized the use of such speed devices earlier this year, marking a crucial step forward in enhancing safety around our schools and providing local municipalities with new tools to keep our youngest citizens safe.
(Courtesy of Linda Julien)
Linda Julien
Studies have consistently shown that the presence of these devices lead to a significant reduction in speeding. The fear of receiving a citation serves as a powerful deterrent, encouraging drivers to slow down and comply with posted speed limits. In this way, devices are not just punitive; they also promote a culture of responsible driving in our community.
Importantly, the focus of this initiative is not on penalizing drivers but on protecting our children. Once installed, the devices will automatically generate a ticket for drivers found to be exceeding the speed limit by at least 10 miles per hour during school days. It is crucial to note that these citations will not result in points being added to a driver's license. Instead, they serve as a deterrent, encouraging responsible driving behavior in school zones.
And it’s no game of “gotcha” – by law, there must be ample signage posted to make sure drivers know where devices are located, and local governments are required to conduct educational campaigns to inform drivers about the device enforcement so there is no confusion around this new community initiative.
This program is about safety – the safety of our children, dedicated teachers, crossing guards and all those in our community as they walk to school, cross streets and navigate busy intersections. Think about the peace of mind it will bring to parents and caregivers, knowing that their children are safer on their way to and from school.
In a world where we face many challenges, the safety of our children must be a collective priority. Let us work together, as a community, to protect our children and ensure they have a safe journey to and from school every day.