👨🌾 Who: City of Niceville, Niceville Police Department, Altumint, local officials
🛠️ What: Launch of a school zone speed enforcement program using speed cameras
📅 When: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 8:30 AM
🏞️ Where: on Randall Wise Memorial Highway in Niceville
🚗 Why: To reduce speeding in school zones and enhance student safety
The City of Niceville, in partnership with traffic enforcement technology provider Altumint, has launched a new school zone speed enforcement program aimed at reducing speeding near Niceville High School and Ruckel Middle School on Mayor Randall Wise Highway.
Niceville and Altumint switched on the cameras Wednesday morning at an event attended by city officials and law enforcement representatives.
A recent speed study provided by Altumint around the schools zones on Mayor Wise Highway and Old Coastal Road found that 7,365 vehicles passed through the school zone in a single day, with 1,034 drivers exceeding the speed limit during school hours. Of those, 908 violations occurred while the flashing school zone lights were active, and 126 speeding incidents happened during key school hours when children were crossing.
The City will roll out an awareness initiative, which includes a 60-day warning period. During the two month period that end in April, speed cameras will monitor traffic and alert violators without issuing citations.
After the warning period, the cameras will issue citations to drivers exceeding the school zone speed limit by 11 mph or more.
The program operates under Florida’s HB 657 legislation, allowing enforcement cameras to monitor speeds 30 minutes before school starts, during school hours, and 30 minutes after dismissal.
City Manager David Deitch said the City wants to use the cameras to enhance road safety. “These cameras are part of our commitment to creating safer environments for students, parents, and the community,” he noted.
Kristen Rose, VP of Marketing and Public Education at Altumint, emphasized the program’s benefits, telling Mid Bay News, “Speed enforcement programs are proven to discourage dangerous driving behavior, making roads safer for all.”
Niceville Police Chief Mark Hayse reiterated the his agency’s commitment to traffic safety, noting the concerning results of the recent speed study and the importance of the new enforcement measures.
According to data, Florida has the third-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country, and 38% of Florida drivers admit to ignoring reduced speed limits in school zones. Similar speed enforcement programs in other U.S. cities have led to a 30% reduction in accidents causing injuries or deaths.
The City of Niceville urges drivers to adhere to posted speed limits and remain vigilant in school zones to ensure student safety.
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