Background:
In 2023, the Florida Legislature approved CS/CS/CS/SB 588, which authorized local governments to install and use automated speed detection systems to enforce school zone speed limit violations in excess of 10 miles per hour over the applicable speed limit. State law authorizes automated school zone speed enforcement beginning 30 minutes before the school day begins, during the entirety of the school day, and for 30 minutes after the school day ends.
The Sunrise Police Department conducted a school zone speed study at 12 public schools and has compiled the traffic data and other evidence resulting from the study. The speed study is attached to this agenda item. The Police Department reviewed the data and concluded that a heightened safety risk exists at each of the 12 schools. For perspective, a recent 5 day data collection in the Piper High school zone revealed that more than 2,400 people exceeded the posted limit for the duration of the school day (30 minutes before, during the school day, and 30 minutes after school).
At the September 23, 2025 City Commission meeting, the School Zone Speed Program was discussed and there are two outstanding decision points to be finalized.
Decision Point #1: Duration of the school zone enforcement:
a. Beginning 30 minutes before the school day begins, during the entirety of the school day, and 30 minutes after the school day ends.
b. Only while the school zone lights are flashing, which is 30 minutes before school and 30 minutes after school.
Decision Point #2: Duration of the warning period where offenders will receive a warning in the mail:
a. 30 calendar days
b. 60 calendar days, which would cost $25 per warning issued during the additional 30 days
c. 90 calendar days, which would cost $25 per warning issued during the additional 60 days
The School Zone Speed Program is expected to begin on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, which is the first school day following the December holiday break and the warning period would commence at that time.