If you received a speeding ticket in Miami‑Dade County this year, chances are it came from a school zone speed camera rather than a police officer. According to new judicial data, cameras installed near schools generated nearly 70% of all speeding citations in the county during the first quarter of 2026.
Between January and March, the Clerk of Courts and Comptroller’s Office processed 76,316 speeding tickets. Of those, fewer than 25,000 were issued by police, while 51,721 citations originated from automated cameras operated by private companies under contracts with local governments.
Authorized in Florida two years ago after a change in state law, these cameras have quickly become a dominant enforcement tool. At schools like Palmetto Elementary, signs warn drivers that cameras are monitoring speed limits, aiming to improve safety for children and families.
Officials say the program is designed to reduce speeding in high‑risk areas, but the surge in citations has sparked debate over the role of private companies in law enforcement and whether automated systems are being used primarily for safety or revenue.
