TAMPA, Fla. — Dozens of drivers cited for speeding through school zones in Hillsborough County are set to appeal their violations Thursday at the Brandon Services Center. 

What You Need To Know

More than 100,000 school zone speeding violations have been issued since August 2025

 Violations generated have brought in more than $300,000, half of which has paid for increase safety in school zones and more crossing guards 

 Only around 8% of the total violations issued have been overturned 

Speed cameras in school zones only issue automatic citations if a driver is traveling more than 10mph above the posted speed limit 

The hearings come amid a dramatic rise in enforcement tied to school zone speed cameras. Aand county authorities report a staggering surge in citations since the start of the school year. 

Compared to the 2024–2025 school year, the number of school zone speeding violations has increased by more than 1,000 percent.

Since August 2025, over 100,000 tickets have been issued across the county. These fines have generated more than $300,000 in revenue, with approximately half allocated toward safety improvements such as enhanced school zone infrastructure and the hiring of additional crossing guards.

While drivers have the option to appeal a school zone speed camera ticket, most choose not to. Instead, they pay the $100 fine, which allows them to avoid points on their driver’s license and skip the hearing process altogether.

Data from last fall shows that only about 8 percent of violations written were overturned, indicating that the majority of citations are upheld.

Today, roughly 40 drivers are expected to challenge their tickets. 

During the hearings, drivers present evidence to a hearing officer, who will determine whether each violation was valid. (Spectrum News image)

During the hearings, they will present evidence to a hearing officer, who will determine whether each violation was valid.

School zone speed cameras are now active at 32 schools throughout Hillsborough County and operate during the entire school day. 

Importantly, tickets are only issued to drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour.

School zone speed camera-issued citations are not considered moving violations—at least not right away.

Drivers who promptly pay the $100 fine will not receive points on their license, meaning the incident does not impact their official driving record.

However, ignoring the ticket can lead to more serious consequences. 

Law enforcement may escalate the matter by issuing a uniform traffic citation, which can carry points and potentially result in a driver’s license suspension if left unresolved.

As enforcement continues to expand, officials emphasize that the goal of the program is to improve safety in school zones—though the sharp increase in tickets has sparked concern and pushback from some drivers.