Charlotte County debates school zone cameras to catch speeders
Charlotte County is considering installing speed cameras in school zones to catch drivers who exceed speed limits. This initiative aims to enhance safety, particularly in areas lacking sidewalks, which force children to walk close to fast-moving traffic.
Many parents express concerns about speeding vehicles in neighborhoods near Charlotte County schools. Some school zones do not even have sidewalks, increasing the risk for children walking to and from school. County commissioners are now looking into installing speed cameras, similar to what Cape Coral implemented.
However, in Cape Coral, drivers have complained that they received tickets outside of school hours and even on weekends. This has sparked concerns in Charlotte County about the potential for similar issues.
Briana Lacko, a parent at East Elementary School, supports the idea despite the risks.
"There was a truck that wasn't paying any attention and had to slam on their brakes," said Lacko. "And the way that my neighbor had described it, their vehicle turned sideways for them to be able to come to a stop and not hit her daughter."
"It might make people pay attention to what they're doing, if there's more surveillance on the issue," she said. "It's regrettable that it has to come to that to keep our kids safe."
As of now, county commissioners have not made a final decision on the installation of speed cameras.