Hollywood's streets near schools are about to see a slowdown. With the City of Hollywood's School Zone Safety Camera Program gearing up to take full effect on Monday, speedsters will need to pump the brakes or pay up. The initiative, introduced at the onset of the 2024 school year, is squarely aimed at reducing speeding in school zones to protect students, parents, and educators navigating these areas during crucial hours.
The program, which has been rolled out in several schools, will deploy cameras to actively monitor and penalize drivers cruising at 11 MPH above the speed limit. These electronic eyes will be watchful from 30 minutes before school starts and stay vigilant until 30 minutes after the final bell. Fines will soon quickly follow for speed violations, without the cushion of a warning period, at schools like Apollo Middle School, Attucks Middle School, Colbert Elementary, and Driftwood Elementary, according to a recent City of Hollywood announcement.
Meanwhile, a handful of other institutions are on deck, transitioning from grace to enforcement. Championship Academy, Hollywood Hills Elementary, Hollywood Park Elementary, Orange Brook Elementary, Sheridan Hills Elementary, and West Hollywood Elementary will begin to issue a 30-day warning once their signs are up, signaling a ramp-up to the rule's enforcement. Ben Gamla Elementary's warning period has been drawn out due to delays in sign installation.
This staggered application of the law provides motorists the chance to get acclimated to the new conditions, subtly urging everyone to uniformly recognize and recalibrate their driving habits. As Hollywood takes these steps, neighboring jurisdictions are set to follow suit, preparing to similarly start issuing warnings and fines to ensure community safety takes precedence on the roads, specifically in the proximity of schools.
For drivers wondering which schools are involved or looking for more detailed information on the School Zone Safety Camera Program, the City of Hollywood's official website provides a comprehensive directory and answers to frequently asked questions.
