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Speed Zones

The state of Florida utilizes speed limits, so drivers are deterred from operating their vehicles recklessly at a high speed. The purpose of these driving restrictions is to protect the general public of the state and to punish those who speed unnecessarily. In Florida, some traffic areas are known as “speed zones” and have enhanced penalties for people who are speeding.

These “zones” can result in increased ticket costs because it’s considered a high-risk area for accidents. Some examples of speed zones include school perimeters or a construction zone. If you or someone you know has recently been ticketed in a school zone, we urge you to get in contact with the experienced traffic attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A..

Traffic Attorney for Speed Zones in West Palm Beach, FL

Civil citations can be expensive and in some cases are unfairly given. If you or someone you know wants to contest a speeding ticket in Florida, we recommend you get in contact with the attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A.. Our traffic ticket lawyers have been practicing for years and have the extensive resources needed for your case.

There’s no reasons you should pay a ticket for a traffic violation you didn’t commit or was unfairly put upon you. Call us now at (561) 500-5000 to pick up your first consultation free today. We will sit with you, answer your legal questions and begin the legal process of fighting your ticket. 

Meltzer & Bell, P.A. represents people throughout the Florida area including St. Lucie County, Martin County, Palm Beach County and Martin County.

Overview of Speed Zones in Florida  

• What Does Florida Consider to be a Speed Zone?
• Penalties for Speeding in a Speed Zone in Florida
• Reasons Why People Speed
• Additional Resources

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What Does Florida Consider to Be a Speed Zone?

Florida has speed limits to improve safety by reducing the probability and severity of a crash. Some public areas in Florida are considered speed zones and have harsher speeding penalties than if the violation occurred in a non-speed zone. Legislators implemented these laws, so drivers have more of a reason to avoid speeding in these specific zones. Most of the speed zones are related to childcare facilities to reduce traffic crashes involving minors.

In Florida, you could receive enhanced fines for speeding in a:

• Public or private elementary school;
• Public or private secondary school;
• Construction zone;
• Near the scene of a traffic accident;
• Electronic or manual toll collection facility; or
• An enhanced penalty zone that’s been marked by the appropriate signage 

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Penalties for Speeding in a Speed Zone in Florida

The state of Florida has established fines for people who are going over the speed limit. When the speeding violation occurs in a speed zone, then the minimum and maximum fines associated with the citation increases. Normally, a speeding citation in Florida can result in the following penalties when the violation doesn’t occur in a speed zone. 

• 1-5 mph -Warning
• 6-9 mph - $25
• 10-14 mph -$100
• 15-19 mph -$150
• 20-29 mph.-$175
• 30 mph and above -$250

Speed zone fines are determined by where the defendant was speeding. For school zones, you can be legally fined for $50 for simply going over the speed limit by up to 5 mph. Speeding any more than 5 mph will result in a fine double the amount listed above. For example, if you were speeding 10 mph in a school zone, an officer can ticket you up to $200.

Speeding over the limit in a construction zone will also lead to paying double the amount of fines. So, if you speed up to 15 mph in a construction zone you could be ticketed up to $300. However, the fine can only be doubled if construction personnel or operating equipment for the construction project are present on the road. 

Going over the speed limit within a zone where an electronic or manual toll can also lead to an enhanced fine of up to double the original amount. It’s important to note you can only be cited to a doubled fine if the governmental entity or authority controlling the toll zone installs a traffic control device stating a warning that speeding fines will be doubled.

Exceeding the speed limit in an enhanced penalty zone may lead to a fine plus an extra $50 added. For instance, if you were speeding up to 14 mph in a specific penalty zone, then you could be fined up to $150. Speeding up to 5 mph in a penalty enhanced zone can lead to a fine of up to $50. 

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Reasons Why People Speed

Drivers typically don’t choose to speed when they’re on the road. Often, it’s a subconscious reaction to their environment and can be triggered by many factors. Some of these include temperament, road conditions, road geometrics and other influences including:

• Weather
• Type of vehicle
• Vehicle parking
• Lane width
• Traffic volume
• Pavement roughness
• Shoulder width and condition
• Pavement type and condition
• Speed traveled for previous 5 or 10 miles
• Personality of driver
• Speed of other vehicles
• Drive late or on time
• Condition of vehicle
• Urgency of trip
• Emotional condition of driver
• Driver skill
• Presence and/or history of enforcement
• Length of Trip
• Time of Day Purpose of trip
• Ambient light
• Familiarity of driver with the road
• Pavement wetness
• Adjacent land use and development

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Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions – Visit the official website for Florida’s Department of Transportation to learn more about speed limits and zones. Access the site to learn the purpose of a speed limit, who sets the limits and how it’s reviewed by the State Highway Department.

Speeding Laws in Florida – Visit the official website for the Florida Statutes to learn more about speeding violations in Florida. Access the site to learn the various fines for speeding, admissible defenses for certain fines and other relevant information.

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Speeding Lawyer in Palm Beach County, FL

If you or someone you know was ticketed for speeding in an enhanced penalty zone, it’s important you have legal representation you can trust. You shouldn’t be forced to pay a fine that was unjustly given to you. Fight back by calling the traffic attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A.. 

You can contact us by picking up the phone and dialing (561) 500-5000. From there, we will set up your first consultation free and begin to discuss the legal process of contesting your ticket. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. represents people throughout the state of Florida including West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, and Stuart, Florida.

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