FAQ
Straight answers about Lawtey’s US 301 school-zone cameras, the vendor, and why “when flashing” does not protect you.
What is the Lawtey school zone speed camera scam?
On US 301 at Lake Street in Lawtey, Florida — just south of Lawtey Elementary — drivers see a posted 45 mph limit, then a “Speed Limit Photo Enforced 6:30 AM to 2:40 PM” sign, a school speed limit ahead warning, and an overhead “20 MPH WHEN FLASHING” sign whose beacons often are not flashing. A RedSpeed camera still tickets vehicles over 20 mph during that daytime window. The zone is roughly 300 feet / about 127 yards including the intersection.
Do the school zone lights have to be flashing for a ticket?
Drivers reasonably expect “20 MPH WHEN FLASHING” to mean the reduced limit applies when beacons flash. Florida’s school-zone camera law and local practice allow enforcement during posted school-session hours even when lights are dark. That mismatch — signage saying one thing, cameras enforcing another — is the core of the Lawtey trap.
Who operates the Lawtey speed cameras?
Lawtey Police Department partnered with RedSpeed USA. Notices of violation are handled through secure.speedviolation.com and the vendor phone line 1-888-212-4258. Payments are directed to the City of Lawtey, with a mailing address listed in Bradenton, Florida.
How much is a Lawtey school zone camera ticket?
The civil Notice of Violation is typically $100. Online or phone payment may add a 5% convenience fee. If you request a hearing and lose, the notice warns of the $100 fine plus additional county or municipal costs not to exceed $250. Ignoring the notice can escalate to a Uniform Traffic Citation with higher costs.
Does a Lawtey camera ticket add points or hurt insurance?
According to Lawtey Police FAQ and the Notice of Violation, paying the Notice of Violation does not assess points under F.S. 322.27 and is not supposed to be used for insurance rates. Escalation to a Uniform Traffic Citation can change that.
Is fighting the ticket worth it?
Statewide reporting shows drivers who contest school-zone camera fines almost always lose. Some jurisdictions charge extra court costs to appeal. Lawtey’s own notice threatens up to $250 in additional costs if the hearing officer upholds the violation. That structure pressures people to pay $100 rather than risk more — which is why many call it due-process theater.
Where exactly is the Lawtey camera trap?
Northbound and southbound US 301 through Lawtey at the Lake Street traffic light, adjacent to Lawtey Elementary School (Bradford County, Florida 32058). The school-zone stretch is extremely short — reported around 127 yards / under 300 feet including the intersection.
When did Lawtey’s camera program start?
Florida authorized school-zone speed cameras in 2023 (HB 657 / related statutes). Lawtey went live with RedSpeed around April 2024. Local Facebook reports claimed hundreds of tickets per month in the early period.