Drivers traveling through Lake Wales may soon notice new poles and equipment being installed at several major intersections as the city moves closer to launching its long-discussed red-light camera enforcement program.
Crews were seen this week installing poles and related infrastructure along State Road 60, where red-light cameras are expected to become installed within the coming weeks. The work follows earlier approval by the Lake Wales City Commission to move forward with both school zone speed enforcement cameras and red-light camera technology.
According to previous information released by the city, the red-light camera program is intended to target dangerous intersections where officials say drivers frequently run red lights and create safety concerns.
The city previously announced enforcement locations would include:
• Westbound 1st Street and State Road 60
• Westbound 3rd Street and State Road 60
• Westbound 11th Street and State Road 60
City officials also indicated cameras would be placed along portions of U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 60 where law enforcement and traffic officials believe enforcement could improve safety.
Lake Wales would become the sixth city in Polk County to implement red-light camera enforcement.
The move comes after city leaders also approved school zone speed cameras near local schools. A traffic study conducted on Sept. 29, 2023, reportedly found 2,036 incidents of vehicles traveling above the posted speed limit at Lake Wales High School.
Under the city’s previously released guidelines, once the red-light camera system is activated, drivers would first receive a 30-day warning period before citations are issued. After that period, violations could result in a $158 civil citation with no points assessed against a driver’s license.
According to the city, the system records the date, time, location, vehicle speed, and license plate information when a violation occurs. Officials have stated all citations would be reviewed and approved by a member of the Lake Wales Police Department before being issued.
The installation work seen this week appears to signal the enforcement program is entering its final stages before activation.
Lake Wales Daily reached out to the Lake Wales Police Department to find out when those cameras will be operational. We were advised that the officer in charge of that project is out this week, but we should have information next week. Keep up-to-date with Lake Wales Daily for more information.
