Every day, hundreds of thousands of students in Florida cross roadways on their way to and from school. Unfortunately, school zone accidents have been steadily increasing. Florida ranked 50th out of all states in terms of unsafe driving in school zones, according to a study by Zendrive in 2018. In light of these alarming statistics, it is crucial to find effective solutions to deter reckless drivers and ensure the safety of our children in school zones.
If you or someone you love has been injured by an act of carelessness or negligence, speak with a lawyer at the Martinez Manglardi Personal Injury Law Firm. Our firm has been helping people in Central Florida get compensation for their injuries for 35 years. Call 866-729-7874 for a free consultation. We have convenient locations throughout Central Florida.
Legislative Efforts for Safer School Zones
Lawmakers in Florida have recognized the urgency of addressing the issue of school zone accidents. Senate Bill 588 and House Bill 657 have been introduced to establish school zone speed detection programs that aim to protect students and parents. These bills grant law enforcement agencies the authority to install speed detection programs in school zones, alerting drivers to slow down and recording potential violations for review by law enforcement.
Enhancing Traffic Safety Around School Zones
The recent approval of HB 657 has paved the way for significant improvements in traffic safety around school zones in Florida. Altumint, a developer and operator of AI-based traffic safety programs, has cutting-edge technology, including school bus stop arm cameras, which can revolutionize traffic management and serve as a model for other states. Altumint asserts that this legislation will make Florida communities safer by saving lives, reducing injuries, and decreasing property damage.
The Need for Speed Detection Programs
The need for speed detection programs in school zones is evident from the alarming statistics. Speed studies conducted by Altumint reveal that a significant number of drivers exceed the speed limit in school zones, putting the safety of children at risk. On average, 14% of drivers exceed the speed limit by 10-14mph, and 10% exceed the speed limit by 15+ mph. During flashing light times, a staggering 54% of drivers exceed the speed limit by at least 10mph, and 44% exceed the limit by at least 15mph. These numbers highlight the urgent need for measures that can effectively deter speeding in school zones.
Privacy and Due Process Considerations
While ensuring the safety of students and parents while trying to prevent school zone accidents, it is essential to protect the privacy of Florida drivers. The proposed legislation includes provisions to safeguard privacy rights. The recorded information from the speed detection programs can only be used to determine liability for reckless behavior in school zones and must be destroyed once a violation is resolved. Furthermore, the programs only capture the rear of vehicles and not the drivers or their occupants, ensuring that privacy rights are respected.
Maintaining Due Process
To ensure fairness, the legislation affords alleged violators the same rights as citations written by law enforcement officers during traffic stops. This includes issuing a notice of violation, allowing violators to pay fines similar to toll violations, and resolving the issue before a traffic citation is issued. By treating these violations as parking or toll violations assigned to the vehicle rather than the driver, the legislation avoids any impact on insurance rates or driver’s license points, while still working to prevent school zone accidents.
Community Empowerment and Decision-Making
The proposed legislation empowers local communities to decide whether to establish school zone speed detection programs to prevent school zone accidents. Each community can evaluate where dangerous driving is occurring and choose to install these programs in specific school zones. This localized approach allows communities to address their unique traffic safety challenges effectively.
Promoting Public Awareness
Before implementing speed detection programs to prevent school zone accidents, public awareness campaigns are required to inform drivers about their presence. Special signs must be placed in school zones to alert drivers about the installation of these programs. This ensures that drivers are aware of the consequences of speeding and encourages them to prioritize the safety of students and parents.
An Orlando Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured in a school zone accident caused by negligence or carelessness, talk to an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi Personal Injury Law Firm. We’ve been helping people in Central Florida recover from injuries for 35 years. Call 866-729-7874 for a free consultation. Convenient office locations throughout Central Florida.
