5. School Zone Speed Safety Program
General Information The City of Davenport is implementing a School Zone Speed Safety Program to improve safety in school zones and encourage compliance with posted school zone speed limits. The program is part of a broader traffic-safety effort, focused on reducing dangerous speeding behaviors and creating safer conditions for students, pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and all road users traveling near Davenport schools. Prior to selecting camera locations, Davenport coordinated a third speed study at Horizons Elementary School in both the eastbound and westbound directions. The study identified where speeding was occurring and provided objective data to help determine where additional safety measures could be most effective. During school hours, the study recorded 199 vehicles traveling fast enough to qualify as a violation (approximately 100 per day) with average vehicle speeds of roughly 25 mph against a 15 mph school zone speed limit. The City used this information, along with school zone planning requirements and state approval processes, to identify locations for speed safety systems. The School Zone Speed Safety Program is designed to encourage long-term changes in driver behavior through consistent and fair enforcement. Speed Safety Programs supplement traditional police enforcement efforts by helping improve compliance with posted school zone speed limits in areas where speeding has been identified as a concern. The program's success will be measured by improved speed compliance and safer school zones, not by the number of citations issued. Consistent public education, transparency, and community awareness are important components of the program's overall safety mission.
What is the School Zone Speed Safety Program?
The School Zone Speed Safety Program is designed to only identify vehicles traveling above the established enforcement threshold in an active school zone and to support the administration of speed enforcement in approved locations. All potential violations are reviewed before a citation is issued.
Why is Davenport implementing a Speed Safety Program?
Excessive speed increases both the likelihood and severity of crashes and reduces a driver's ability to react to unexpected situations, including a child stepping into the roadway. Davenport is implementing the School Zone Speed Safety Program as part of its ongoing commitment to improving school zone safety and encouraging compliance with posted school zone speed limits.
What are the goals of the program?
The goal of the program is to improve compliance with posted school zone speed limits and encourage long-term changes in driver behavior, reducing the risk of crashes and serious injuries for students, families, and everyone traveling through Davenport school zones.
Is this program intended to generate revenue?
No. The program's purpose is to improve speed compliance and school zone safety. The penalty amount is set by Florida law, and Florida law also directs how that revenue is distributed, including to the school crossing guard program, local schools, and state agencies. Success is measured by fewer speeding violations and safer driving behavior over time, not by increasing citation volume.
LOCATION & ENFORCEMENT BASICS
How will I know if I am in a speed camera zone?
Signs will be posted in advance of the school zone to alert drivers that speed safety systems are in use in that area.
Where will Speed Safety Systems be located?
Horizons Elementary School (Eastbound & Westbound)
How were system locations selected?
The location was selected using a speed study, roadway evaluation, school-zone planning requirements, and applicable Florida approval processes. The City evaluated traffic conditions in both directions at Horizons Elementary School to determine where additional speed-management measures could most effectively improve safety.
Are cameras active only during school hours?
Yes. Davenport's School Zone Speed Safety Program operates only on school days during posted school zone hours — beginning with the morning flashing school zone lights, through the day, and ending after the afternoon flashing school zone lights. Outside those hours, the school zone speed limit is not in effect and the program is not issuing citations.
Will warning notices be issued before citations?
Yes. Davenport's warning period begins September 21, 2026. During this period, approved qualifying events will result in warning notices rather than fines.
What speed will trigger a citation?
Davenport's program is configured to issue citations only when a vehicle is traveling in excess of 10 miles per hour above the posted school zone speed limit.
Are citations reviewed before they are issued?
Yes. No citation is generated by the Speed Safety System alone. Each potential violation undergoes an initial review and must be verified and approved by an authorized city reviewer before a citation is issued.
Is the equipment tested and calibrated?
Yes. All speed safety equipment is tested and calibrated before being placed into service and undergoes routine testing and certification to ensure accuracy.
CITATIONS & VIOLATIONS
How much is a citation?
Under Florida law, the civil penalty is $100. If a citation is not paid within 30 days, it becomes a Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) and follows the standard traffic citation process. Additional court costs may apply at that stage.
Who receives the citation?
Citations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
How will I receive a citation?
Citations are mailed to the registered owner, by first-class mail, using vehicle registration information maintained by the applicable motor vehicle agency.
Does a citation affect my driving record?
No. School Zone Speed Safety citations are civil violations and do not result in points against a driver's license.
What information is included on a citation?
Each notice of violation includes:
- A photograph or other recorded image showing the license plate of the motor vehicle;
- The date, time, and location of the violation;
- The maximum speed at which the motor vehicle was traveling within the school zone;
- The speed limit within the school zone at the time of the violation;
- Notice that the owner has the right to review, in person or remotely, the photograph or video
- captured by the speed detection system and the evidence of the vehicle's speed;
- The time when, and the place or website at which, the recorded images and evidence of speed may be examined;
- Notice that a Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued if payment has not been made within 30 days, if no hearing has been requested, and if no affidavit has been submitted;
- The amount of the penalty imposed and how to pay it; and
- Information on the right to request a hearing and all costs related to it, along with a form for requesting a hearing, or direction to a website providing that information.
PAYMENTS & HEARINGS
How can I pay a citation?
Citations may be paid through the methods identified on the citation notice and payment portal.
To Pay Online: The fastest and easiest way to pay your $100.00 penalty is online. Go to
www.onlinecitationpayment.com and log on with your notice # and PIN shown in the red box on the front of this notice. Click the Pay button. There is a $4.95 convenience fee for this service.
To Pay by Phone: Call toll free 866-506-2155 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is a $4.95 convenience fee.
To Pay by Mail: To pay the citation, mail the return coupon from your fine notice along with a check or money order [NO CASH] payable to The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. To ensure proper processing, print the citation number on your payment. Send payment to: Davenport, FL, PO BOX 530686, ATLANTA GA 30353-0686.
Can I view the images from my citation?
Yes. Violation images may be viewed through the program website using the citation number and PIN provided on the notice.
How do I contest a citation?
The registered vehicle owner may request a hearing to challenge a School Zone Speed Safety citation. The owner has 30 days from the date the notice of violation is issued to request a hearing. To request a hearing, sign and mail the form included with the notice. You will be notified by letter of the date and time of the hearing. If the registered owner was not the driver, Florida law allows the owner to submit a written affidavit identifying the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the violation, so the notice can be reissued to that person.
What happens if I request a hearing?
If a hearing is requested, the evidence associated with the violation will be reviewed as part of the adjudication process. If the hearing officer concludes that a violation occurred, the hearing officer will uphold the notice and the owner is responsible for the $100 payment. If the owner elects to go to court, additional administrative fees may apply, and if a Uniform Traffic Citation is issued there may be additional court fees.
What evidence is available during a hearing?
Evidence may include: Violation photographs, Speed data, Equipment calibration records, and System maintenance records, when applicable.
PRIVACY, DATA RETENTION & SECURITY
Are Speed Safety Systems used for surveillance?
Altumint's speed and red-light cameras are used solely for traffic safety programs. Our systems operate independently of other enforcement or surveillance technologies, and we bid only on programs consistent with that standard. Altumint does not and will not integrate our technology, data, or infrastructure for any other third-party purpose such as automated license plate readers (ALPR) or sound detection technology.
What happens to information from vehicles without a potential violation?
The program is designed to capture and process information only for the purpose of documenting potential speeding violations in an active school zone. Information associated with vehicles that do not generate a potential violation is not used to build travel histories, is not share.
Can the cameras track where I travel?
No. Speed Safety Devices cannot identify the people inside a vehicle.
Does the system use facial recognition technology?
No. The Speed Safety Program does not use facial recognition technology.
Who owns the data collected by the program?
The City of Davenport owns all program-related data.
Who can access program data?
The program’s design and the law restrict data access to authorized Davenport town personnel involved in violation review, citation processing, appeals administration, customer service, and program administration for the individual violation. No other access is allowable by law and safety program design.
What information is captured when a violation occurs?
The system captures images of the vehicle, license plate information, and data necessary to verify and
process the violation.
How long is violation data retained?
Violation event data is retained in accordance with Florida Statute and must be destroyed 90 days after final adjudication of the violation.
How long is personal information retained?
Images associated with a violation are retained in accordance with Florida Statute and must be destroyed 90 days after final adjudication of the violation.
How long are images retained?
Images associated with resolved citations are retained for 30 days after closure, and are then deleted.
How is my information protected?
Program data is protected using the same encryption, access control, and network security standards used to safeguard criminal justice and law enforcement information nationally. All data is encrypted with access restricted to authorized personnel only. Our system is regularly audited by independent third parties against nationally recognized security standards, including the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy. Your safety program is held to this standard even though these are civil citations, to ensure your data is protected. No data is sold, shared, or used for any purpose beyond operating this program.
Quick Facts
- Cameras operate only on school days during posted school zone hours
- Enforcement begins in excess of 10 miles per hour above the posted school zone speed limit
- The warning period begins September 21, 2026
- All citations are reviewed and approved by an authorized city reviewer before issuance
- Citation cost: $100 civil penalty, distributed as directed by Florida law
- Citations are civil violations; no points are assessed against a driver's license
- Unpaid citations become a Uniform Traffic Citation after 30 days
- Program data, including owner information and citation images, is destroyed 90 days after final adjudication, per Florida Statute.
- The system is designed for traffic safety, not surveillance
At the end of the day, the Davenport’s program is designed with one purpose: improving safety in locations where crashes and dangerous driving behavior put people at risk. The program is focused on documented traffic violations and is governed by state law, local oversight, and strict data management practices. Davenport and its partners are committed to transparency, accountability, and protecting personal information while supporting safer streets for residents, students, pedestrians, and visitors. We encourage community members to ask questions, review available program information, and stay informed about how the system operates and the safeguards in place to protect privacy.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES:
https://www.mydavenport.org/technology-transparency
https://library.municode.com/fl/davenport/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH11MOVETR_ARTVITRINDEDESCZOSPLIDESY
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=03000399/0316/Sections/0316.1896.html
https://www.iihs.org/topics/speed#overview
https://www.iihs.org/topics/speed#speed-safety-cameras