Winter Garden launches $100 school zone speeding tickets March 25 | The Locally Times
Winter Garden begins issuing $100 civil citations for school zone speeding violations at Esteem Academy on March 25, 2026, with Whispering Oak Elementary enforcement starting April 1.
Winter Garden drivers will face $100 civil citations for speeding in school zones starting March 25, 2026, as the city transitions from a warning period to active enforcement at Esteem Academy. The program, which utilizes speed-detection cameras, aims to increase safety for children and staff in areas around local schools by deterring speeding. ## Enforcement Commences at Two School Zones The City of Winter Garden will begin issuing $100 civil citations for speeding violations at Esteem Academy, located at 12301 Warrior Road, on March 25, 2026. This date marks the conclusion of a warning period for drivers in that school zone. Drivers near Whispering Oak Elementary School, situated at 15300 Stoneybrook W. Parkway, will face civil citations commencing on April 1, 2026, following its warning period which concludes on March 31, 2026. These specific dates and locations are detailed in a civic alert from the City of Winter Garden, posted on February 3, 2026. The camera system issues violations when a vehicle travels more than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit within the designated school zones. The civic alert clarifies that these citations are civil penalties and do not result in points on a driver's license or affect insurance rates. The program's intent, as stated by the city, is to increase the safety of children and staff in school zones by deterring speeding and reducing traffic speeds. ## Camera Operation and Legal Foundation The school zone camera system is now operational at both Esteem Academy and Whispering Oak Elementary. The cameras are active during specific periods to cover peak school activity. This includes 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after school hours, as well as throughout the entire school day. The system operates only on days when school is in session, according to the February 3, 2026, civic alert. Winter Garden City Commissioners approved an ordinance for the speed-detection camera system in January 2025, establishing the local framework for its implementation. This local action aligns with a broader State of Florida law, approved in 2023, which authorizes the use of cameras to enforce speeding violations in school zones throughout the school day. The City of Winter Garden began implementing the program at these two schools in January 2026, initiating the warning periods that preceded the current citation rollout. ## Phased Expansion Across Winter Garden The current activation at Esteem Academy and Whispering Oak Elementary represents the initial phase of the city's comprehensive School Zone Camera Safety Program. The City of Winter Garden plans to activate the program at the remaining city schools during the 2026/2027 school year. The Winter Garden Police Department enforces the program across all activated zones. The civic alert, posted February 3, 2026, details these future plans, indicating a city-wide commitment to school zone safety. ## Key Questions **When do the $100 tickets start?** Civil citations for speeding will begin March 25, 2026, at Esteem Academy and April 1, 2026, at Whispering Oak Elementary School. **How much over the speed limit can I drive without a ticket?** Violations are issued for driving more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit in school zones. **Will this affect my driving record?** The violation is a civil penalty and does not affect driving privileges or insurance.