City of Lakeland School Zone Safety Program

The City of Lakeland is implementing a new automated traffic safety program designed to curb reckless speeding in school zones, promote safer driving habits, and protect our community’s most vulnerable residents — our students.

In the fall of 2025, the City and the Lakeland Police Department will activate 14 speed enforcement cameras near eight school entrances. Drivers traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the posted school-zone speed limit while the School Zone flashing lights are active will be found in violation. 

A 30-day warning period will run prior to citations being issued. During this time, motorists exceeding the posted speed limit will receive warning notices only. Following the warning period, drivers found in violation will be issued $100 citations. Citations will be sent by mail to the registered owner of any vehicle recorded traveling 10 mph or more over the limit during enforcement hours.

A public notification will be made once a definitive date is set for the warning period to go live. 

School Zone Camera Locations

• Lincoln Academy – N. Lincoln Ave.
• Crystal Lake Elementary / Crystal Lake Middle – N. Crystal Lake Drive
• Philip O’Brien Elementary – E Lime St.
• Southwest Middle – Eden Pkwy
• North Lakeland Elementary – W. Robson St.
• Lakeland High School – Hollingsworth Rd.
• Lakeland Highlands Middle – Lake Miriam Dr.
• Sleepy Hill Elementary – Sleepy Hill Rd.

How do the photo speed monitoring systems work?

The photo speed monitoring systems have sophisticated radar equipment that monitors vehicle speeds as traffic approaches and passes the equipment. When a vehicle exceeds the threshold limit, a photograph is taken of the vehicle. A second photograph is taken as the vehicle passes the detection zone to record the vehicle's license plate. The infraction's date, time, speed, and location is recorded on the digital image. The City of Lakeland Police Department reviews each incident before issuing a citation. The citation will contain vehicle images and a close-up of the license plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why did I receive a Notice of Violation?

  A Notice of Violation for a speed violation was issued as your vehicle was found to be traveling 10 miles per hour over the posted school-zone speed limit while the School Zone flashing lights were flashing. As vehicle owner, the Notice of Violation is mailed to you.

   

• How can I pay my fine?

  ONLINE PAYMENT: The fastest and easiest way to pay your Notice is to pay online. Go to www.ViolationInfo.com and log on with your Notice # and PIN shown in the red box on the front of your notice. Click the Pay button. There is a convenience/service fee for this service.

  PAYMENT BY PHONE: Call toll free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-866-225-8875. There is a convenience/service fee for this service.

  PAYMENT BY MAIL: Mail your check or money order (payable to the City of Lakeland) in the enclosed envelope with the coupon printed at the bottom of the reverse side of your notice. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Be sure to put the Notice # on the face of your payment. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at info@violationinfo.com.

• What is the amount of the fine? Is there a late fee?

  The owner of a motor vehicle is liable for payment of a statutory penalty of $100 for the Notice of Violation. There are no points assessed for this Notice of Violation. If the vehicle owner does not pay the statutory penalty, request a hearing, or submit an affidavit by the due date listed on the Notice of Violation, a Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued.

• How much time do I have to pay my Notice of Violation?

  It is recommended that the completed, signed, and notarized affidavit or payment be received prior to the due date specified on the front page of your notice to be appropriately processed. If you have questions regarding payments, please email Customer Service at info@violationinfo.com.

• Can I request more time to pay my Notice of Violation?

  Yes, you may request a one‐time sixty (60) day extension of time to pay the fine assessed for your speed camera violation. To request this extension, please complete and sign the REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PAYMENT DEADLINE form, which can be found under the Supporting Resources on info@violationinfo.com, then return via mail, fax or email to:

  City of Lakeland c/o School Zone Speed Safety Program
  P.O. Box 22091
  Tempe, AZ 85285-2091

  Fax: (480) 990-4819 Email: info@ViolationInfo.com

  Please note that the payment request form MUST be received by the due date listed on your Notice of Violation. Upon receipt, your request to extend the payment deadline will be scheduled for a hearing. You are not required to be present for a payment extension request. Please be advised that each request for extension of a payment deadline will be subject to a $12.50 administrative charge. The administrative charge will be in addition to your assessed fine of $100.00. The Hearing Officer will consider your request and, if granted, you will receive a Notice of Hearing Disposition outlining your new payment amount and deadline for payment.

• I have received multiple Notices of Violation; do I have to send in a payment for each?

  If you have multiple violations in one city, you may send one check with the individual coupons enclosed and the notice numbers written on the check. If you have multiple violations in different cities, you must send a separate check for each violation. If you send one check for multiple violations that occurred in different cities, your check will be rejected and returned to you.

• What happens if I ignore the Notice of Violation?

  If you fail to respond with a payment, submit an affidavit, or schedule a hearing, a Uniform Traffic Citation (“UTC”) will be issued at a higher fine amount. Upon issuance of a UTC, you shall have the remedies specified in Florida Statute § 318.14, which include the right to have a hearing before a designated official, who shall determine whether a violation was committed. If the official concludes that no violation was committed, no costs or penalties are imposed. If the official concludes that a violation was committed, the official may impose an additional civil penalty not to exceed $500 and court fees and costs.

• I have received a UTC; may I submit an affidavit?

  Yes, you may submit an affidavit. You must download the Post UTC Affidavit from the links at the bottom of the page on www.ViolationInfo.com. The Post UTC Affidavit must be mailed to the City of Lakeland Police Department. Submission of an affidavit does not guarantee a dismissal of the UTC. You may call Customer Service at 1-866-225-8875 ten (10) days after submission to check on the status.

  A Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) is issued through the Clerk of the Courts shortly after a school speed zone citation goes overdue. Once you receive your UTC notice through certified mail, the Clerk of the Court is solely responsible for handling your citation. For any questions or concerns about your UTC, please call (863) 534-4000 or visit either the Lakeland or Bartow courthouse. The Lakeland courthouse is located at 930 E. Parker St Lakeland, FL 33801 and the Bartow courthouse is located at 255 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830.

• What if I am not the driver/owner of the vehicle at the time of the violation?

  The registered owner of a vehicle will be mailed the Notice of Violation. The vehicle's registered owner is deemed responsible for the violation and the payment of a $100 penalty unless, in compliance with Florida Statute § 316.1896(7), the registered owner establishes by a sworn affidavit that a statutory exemption applies.

  The exemptions are that the motor vehicle:
  (a) was, at the time of the violation, in the care, custody, or control of another person;
  (b) a law enforcement officer issued a UTC to the driver of the motor vehicle for the violation of Florida Statutes §§ 316.1895 and 316.183 stated in this Notice; or
  (c) the motor vehicle's owner was deceased on or before the date that the UTC was issued.
  The registered owner may submit information and support documentation by mailing an Affidavit that is downloadable from www.ViolationInfo.com.

  1. a) If you assert that the vehicle was in the care, custody, or control of another person, you must provide the name, address, date of birth, and, if known, the driver's license number of the person who leased, rented, or otherwise had care, custody, or control of the vehicle at the time of the violation. Acceptance of this assertion by the Police Department will result in the issuance of a Notice of Violation to the person named in the affidavit. If the vehicle was stolen, then the affidavit must include a copy of a police report showing the vehicle to have been stolen.
     
     
  2. b) If you assert that a UTC was issued by a law enforcement officer for the violation of Florida Statute §§ 316.1895 or 316.183, stated in the notice, then you must include the serial number of the UTC. For faster processing, you may, but are not required to, include a copy of the UTC. The affidavit must be sworn before a notary public or authorized person to administer oaths. If an owner furnishes satisfactory evidence and the affidavit complies with the requirements of Florida Statute § 316.0083, the violation will be dismissed. When naming another person as the driver, a Notice of Violation will be issued to the person identified in the evidence as the operator of the motor vehicle at the time of the Violation.
     
     
  3. c) If you assert that the motor vehicle's owner was deceased on or before the date that the Notice of Violation was issued, then you must include a certified copy of the owner’s death certificate showing that the date of death occurred on or before the issuance of the uniform traffic citation and one of the following: a. A bill of sale or other document showing that the deceased owner’s motor vehicle was sold after his or her death but on or before the date of the alleged violation, b. Documentary proof that the registered license plate belonging to the deceased owner’s vehicle was returned to the department or any branch office or authorized agent of the department on or before the date of the alleged violation, or c. Copy of a police report showing the deceased owner’s registered license plate or motor vehicle was stolen after the owner’s death, but on or before the date of the alleged violation.

   

• Will I receive any points on my driving record for this violation? Will my insurance rates be affected?

  No, this is a non-criminal infraction that is not reported to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles or any insurance agencies.  

• Can I schedule a hearing?

  Yes, you can schedule a hearing. If you wish to have a hearing after the issuance of a Notice of Violation (“NOV”), print and sign your name on the hearing request coupon located on the back of the NOV, place it in the included envelope, and mail it to the address located on the front of the coupon. Once a hearing has been scheduled you will be notified of the location, date, and time. If you wish to have a hearing after the issuance of a Uniform Traffic Citation (“UTC”) follow the instructions found on the UTC.

  Only you or your legal counsel may appear at a hearing.

• How much do I have to pay for a hearing?

  A person found liable after a Notice of Violation hearing can be liable for court costs and fees not to exceed $250, in addition to the civil penalty assessed for the violation. A person who is found liable after a Uniform Traffic Citation hearing can be liable for an additional penalty, court costs and fees not to exceed $500, in addition to the amount of the civil penalty assessed for the violation.

   

• Do I have to pay my fine on the day of the hearing?

  You must pay the full fine within 30 days of a liable judgment.

• Will the cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?

  No. A speed violation of Florida Statutes §§ 316.1895 and 316.183 is a civil violation assessed against the vehicle's owner; it is not a criminal violation. Similar to a parking ticket, there is no need to identify the driver and, therefore, no need to capture the driver's image.

• What if I were issued a citation from an officer for the same offense?

  The citation issued by a police officer takes precedence over the Notice of Violation. You must submit an affidavit with the serial number of the UTC that you received for violation of Florida Statutes §§ 316.1895 and 316.183. For faster processing of the affidavit, you can include a copy of the UTC.

• What if my check is returned?

  If payment is not received by the due date of the Notice of Violation, a Uniform Traffic Citation will be issued at a higher cost.

• I paid the violation; why did I receive another notice?

  The notice you just received could be for additional violations, or it could be a UTC, which is now a past due notice. If it is a past due notice, chances are your payment and the notice crossed in the mail. It can take as many as five business days to show in the system once the payment is mailed. Call 1-866-225-8875 to confirm that your payment was received.

• Where can I go to view my images and video?

  You can view your images on any computer with an Internet connection. Log on to www.ViolationInfo.com. To log on to the site, you must enter the Notice Number and the PIN Number located at the top right of your Notice of Violation. If you do not have internet access, you may view your images at your local public library.

• I want to discuss my case with someone.

  If you choose to appear before an official of the county court or plead not guilty, you can request a hearing by following the instructions on the Notice of Violation.