In a major push to improve safety for students and families, the City of Niceville, Florida, has implemented automated school zone speed cameras at select school crossings throughout the city. The program, which officially began in early 2024, is designed to deter speeding in school zones and reduce the risk of accidents involving children during school hours. Here is a map of school zone speed cameras in Florida.
In a major push to improve safety for students and families, both the City of Niceville and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, have implemented automated school zone speed cameras at select school crossings throughout their cities. These programs, which began in early 2024, are designed to deter speeding in school zones and reduce the risk of accidents involving children during school hours.
How the Niceville and Fort Walton Beach School Zone Speed Camera Programs Work
Both cities use automated enforcement systems that incorporate radar technology and high-definition cameras to detect vehicles traveling over the posted speed limit in designated school zones. The cameras operate only during active school zone hours, which are clearly marked by flashing lights and signage.
Key details of the programs include:
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Warning Period: A 30-day warning period began on January 22, 2024 in Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach followed suit with a similar timeline. During this period, violators received a warning notice instead of a fine, allowing drivers time to adjust their driving habits.
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Enforcement Start Date: Full enforcement began on February 21, 2024, in both cities. Drivers who exceed the school zone speed limit during active hours now receive a $100 civil penalty via mail.
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Hours of Operation: Cameras are activated when the school zone flashing lights are on, typically during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times.
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No Points on License: Both cities emphasize that violations are non-criminal and do not result in points being added to a driver’s license.
Locations of Speed Cameras in Niceville and Fort Walton Beach
Niceville:
The City of Niceville has installed cameras at two initial school zone locations:
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Niceville High School
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Plew Elementary School
Fort Walton Beach:
Fort Walton Beach has launched its own program with speed cameras in the following school zones:
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Choctawhatchee High School (Racetrack Road)
Liza Jackson Preparatory School (Hospital Road)
Pryor Middle School (Racetrack Road)
Elliot Point Elementary School (Hughes Street and Ferry Road)
Saint Mary Catholic School (Robinwood Drive)
Edwins Elementary School (Hollywood Boulevard)
Fort Walton Beach High School (Hollywood Boulevard and Wright Parkway)
Silver Sands School (Holmes Boulevard and Wright Parkway)
Bruner Middle School (Holmes Boulevard)
Both cities have installed clear signage and flashing warning lights to alert drivers when enforcement is active.
Why School Zone Speed Cameras?
School zones are high-risk areas where children are walking, biking, and crossing streets, often unpredictably. National traffic safety studies show that speeding in school zones significantly increases the risk of serious injury or fatality in the event of a crash.
By automating speed enforcement, both Niceville and Fort Walton Beach aim to:
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Increase driver compliance
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Protect vulnerable road users
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Reduce the need for on-site law enforcement presence
What to Expect If You Receive a Ticket
Violators caught by the speed cameras will receive a citation in the mail that includes:
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The date, time, and location of the violation
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A photograph and video of the vehicle
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Instructions for paying or contesting the citation
All appeals and payments are handled through a secure online portal provided on the citation.
Community Response and Transparency
Officials from both cities have emphasized that the school zone speed camera programs are about safety, not revenue. All funds generated from citations will be reinvested into local road safety and school infrastructure improvements. Both Niceville and Fort Walton Beach have made program details and statistics publicly available on their respective official websites.
Final Thoughts
Niceville and Fort Walton Beach are among a growing number of U.S. cities adopting automated school zone speed enforcement as a proactive measure to safeguard children. With clearly posted signage, a generous warning period, and a focus on education over punishment, these initiatives reflect both cities' commitment to making roads safer for everyone.