Residents of Doral and Hollywood are being put on notice as the two cities ramp up efforts to ensure the safety of schoolchildren by implementing speed detection cameras in school zones. According to CBS News Miami, Doral's new camera program will initially issue warnings starting August 14, but come September 14, violators can expect a $100 fine for speeding in these sensitive areas. Mayor Christi Fraga emphasized the necessity of the measure, "You shouldn't be speeding in a school zone and if you are, you should be fined," she firmly stated.
While the program targets drivers going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit during specific times – including a window of 30 minutes before and after school hours – it is not without its critics; some residents have reservations about ticketing beyond these hours, an issue raised by Sharon White, a Hollywood local living adjacent to a school, "During school hours I can see them issuing tickets, but not after school hours," she expressed in an interview with CBS News Miami.
Doral's approach, however, has been met with support from local citizens such as Marvelys Mendez who supports the tighter speed regulation – acknowledging the habitual disregard for speed limits by some drivers, particularly near schools. "We have people who abuse the speed limit. I'm in favor of photo-enforced cameras in Doral," Mendez told CBS News Miami. The city provided data showing high numbers of speeding incidents across 12 schools, validating the need for the program.
In a concerted effort to promote community engagement and awareness, Doral has listed all schools under the speed detection program on social media, where they elaborate on the specifics of the scheme and its goals, "Radar + cameras catch drivers going 10+ mph over the limit," the city posted on its Facebook page, hinting at an open dialogue between city officials and the community in promoting a "Smarter, Safer Doral," while also actively seeking to reduce accidents through these preventive measures.
