Sanibel school zone cameras wrongly ticket 1,700 drivers for speeding

SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK) — Speed detection cameras installed in February 2025 to crack down on speeding in Sanibel Island school zones have led to more than 1,700 incorrect citations being issued to drivers who were not speeding.

The cameras were initially installed to monitor school zones, but concerns arose in October 2025 that their placement did not comply with Florida Department of Transportation standards.

The cameras were adjusted to meet those standards, but problems persisted.

In June, numerous people complained about the accuracy of a camera located on Sanibel Captiva Road near the Sanibel School.

The Sanibel Police Department conducted two speed tests on the camera and found the readings were wrong due to the camera's placement behind a palm tree.

To fix the issue, the company that operates the cameras added an extended arm to improve the camera's positioning.

More than 1,300 of the incorrect citations had already been paid by drivers. The camera company will refund all paid citations.

The Sanibel Police Department will dismiss the unpaid ones.