For the 2025-2026 school year, the Sarasota Police Department issued 56,461 speeding tickets in six school zones, according to data provided by the agency.
The highest speeder was clocked by camera at 83 mph in a 45 mph zone at Cardinal Mooney High School on Fruitville Road. The infraction occurred when the school zone light was not flashing.
The highest speeder when the school zone light was flashing was traveling 65 mph in a 20-mph zone, also at Cardinal Mooney High on Fruitville Road.
According to the SPD, enforcement is based on the signage within the zone. When the school zone sign is flashing, the camera will issue violations for speeds exceeding 10 mph over the flashing school zone speed limit.
When the sign is not flashing, but during the enforcement period during the school day, the camera will issue violations for speeds exceeding 10 mph over the normal posted speed limit.
Overall, the school zone with the highest number of speeders was at Cardinal Mooney, police said.
The City of Sarasota, in conjunction with the Sarasota Police Department, began implementing the school camera safety program beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
A law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 31, 2023, authorized the use of cameras to enforce speeding violations in school zones throughout the school day.
Where are the six cameras located in Sarasota?
Cameras are located at Alta Vista Elementary, Southside Elementary, Tuttle Elementary, Sarasota Military Academy, Sarasota High School and Cardinal Mooney High School.
How much did tickets cost, and where does the money go?
Infractions cost speeders $100 per ticket, and according to police:
Where were the top speeders in Sarasota?
What were the top speeds (non-flashing signs)?
What were the top speeds (flashing signs)?
How many tickets were issued in Bradenton?
During the 2025-2026 school year, cameras recorded 15,866 violations from drivers going 10-plus mph over the speed limit during school hours, according to the Bradenton Police Department.
The Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary school zone had the most with 3,342, followed by Ballard Elementary (2,833) and Sea Breeze Elementary (2,440).
The top speeder was captured by camera going 73 in a 40. That occurred at 59th St. West at Moody Elementary and Sugg Middle School, according to police.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: More than 56,000 speeding tickets issued in Sarasota school zones
Reporting by Chris Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
