OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – As the school year wraps up in Osceola County, News 6 is examining a recently launched program aimed at encouraging drivers to slow down in school zones.

In February, Osceola County launched the first phase of its school zone safety program, where drivers would receive a $100 fine and a citation if caught speeding in a school zone. Phase two began in March, with both phases having a warning period of about a month before citations started going out.

Nancy Zayas, a grandparent, said she has felt better dropping up and picking up her 5th-grade grandson at Boggy Creek Elementary since cameras were installed nearby.

“I come here every day, every morning, every afternoon, and I have noticed that in the 15 years that I’ve been coming here, since they’ve been putting the cameras, it’s been wonderful,” Zayas said.

The cameras capture drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour. They first take a picture of the vehicle caught speeding, then a second close-up of the license plate, collecting additional data, including video, date, vehicle speed, and location. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reviews the infractions to determine if fines will be issued.

Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez emphasized the importance of the program.

“So those little tickets are a little reminder that, ‘Hey, you’re going through a school zone. You need to slow it down.’ Don’t be distracted. I think it’s going to help improve safety in those areas,” Lopez said.

Initially, drivers received only warnings, totaling 14,128 during that period. Citations began afterward, with 5,504 issued as of last week.

An Osceola County spokesperson told News 6 the county believes these numbers highlight the necessity of the program and that they believe the program will encourage a change in driving habits among those speeding in school zones.

Crossing guard Kim Navarrete noted an improvement in driver behavior, but called for additional security measures for students.

“I’m here to protect the kids. The kids are very good at following instructions. It’s the drivers,” Navarrete said. “I do see some speeding out here. It has been reduced since they put the cameras in, but we still need a police presence.”