Drivers traveling through school zones in Venice will soon face automated enforcement as the city prepares to activate new speed cameras before the start of the 2026-27 school year.
The Venice City Council unanimously approved the installation of school zone speed cameras near Venice Elementary School, Venice High School and Epiphany Cathedral School. The cameras are expected to begin operating in August when students return to class.
Under the program, motorists caught driving 10 mph or more above the posted speed limit during designated school zone enforcement periods will receive a $100 citation after the violation is reviewed by the Venice Police Department. The cameras will be active 30 minutes before and after school hours.
City officials say the initiative is intended to improve safety for students, pedestrians and families traveling near schools. According to the Venice Police Department, the school zones surrounding Venice High School and Epiphany Cathedral School have experienced nearly 50 traffic crashes over the past five years.
As part of the changes, the areas around Venice Elementary and Venice High School will be combined into a single school zone along Bahama Street, with a 15 mph speed limit. Additional signage and public education efforts are planned to alert drivers to the new enforcement measures.
Mayor Nick Pachota said the cameras will allow the city to enforce speed limits without assigning additional officers to school zones, freeing law enforcement personnel for other duties while maintaining traffic safety around schools.
Revenue generated from the citations will be distributed according to state guidelines, with a portion returning to the city and the remainder supporting school crossing guard recruitment, local school districts, and other designated funds.
The cameras are part of a growing trend across Florida communities that have adopted automated school zone enforcement to reduce speeding and improve student safety.
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