Drivers in Lake Wales may have noticed a change in several school zones around the City of Lake Wales this past week and should pay close attention to the speed limit.
In anticipation of the approved school zone cameras for Lake Wales High School, McLaughlin School of Excellence, and Hillcrest Elementary, Lake Wales Police Department has updated the timing on the yellow flashing lights in the these zones.
The three school zones are being updated at this time to be in compliance with Florida State Statute 316.1895(5) when the cameras go live in the coming months. An exact date is not yet available, but is currently anticipated to be within the next three months, according to a City representative.
The updates times are as follows:
Lake Wales High School – on Burns Ave.; the start time will be 6:15 am and will end at 8:00 am. The afternoon start time will be 1:55 pm and will end at 2:55 pm. For early release days, the morning will remain the same with the afternoon starting at 11:30 am and ending at 1230:pm.
McLaughlin School of Excellence – 2 zones on Scenic Hwy.; the morning will start at 6:15 am and ending at 7:30 am. The afternoon lights will start at 1:30 pm and end at 2:30 pm. For early release days, the morning will remain the same with the afternoon starting at 11:00 am and ending at noon.
Hillcrest Elementary: on Hwy. 60; the start time will be 7:15 am, ending at 8:45 am; the afternoon lights will start at 2:45 pm and end at 3:45 pm. For early release, the morning will remain the same with the afternoon starting at 12:15 pm and ending at 3:15 pm.
School zones in compliance with the above statute can allow for items such as doubled fines, minimum and maximum speeds, and the enforcement hours.
The flashing lights in the school zones may be maintained by either the Florida Department of Transportation, or Polk County, depending on the roadway.
