County traffic safety issue may resonate with Edgewater families

Speeding is still being reported around Volusia Pines Elementary School in Lake Helen even after school-zone cameras were installed earlier this year, according to Spectrum News reporting. The story centers on a parent’s concerns that drivers continue to move too fast near children during pickup and drop-off times.

The report says cameras were installed near the school zone at Kicklighter Road and Lake Helen Osteen Road, where it becomes Prevatt Avenue. Before activation, a study cited by the camera vendor found roughly 800 speeding violations a day in the area. Since the system went live Jan. 12, the number of violations has declined, but the problem has not disappeared.

According to the figures included in the candidate material, the first month of operation produced an average of 131 daily violations while drivers were receiving warnings. After fines began, the average dropped to 106 a day in the second month and 87 a day in the third. That trend suggests the cameras are changing behavior for some drivers, but not enough to satisfy parents who still see dangerous driving near the school.

The enforcement limits are part of the debate. The report notes that camera citations carry a $100 fine but do not add points to a driver’s license the way a traditional traffic stop can. A parent interviewed in the story argued that some motorists may treat the fine as a manageable cost rather than a serious deterrent, especially if they are in a hurry.

The story also highlights staffing realities. The former Lake Helen police chief said the department did not have enough officers to patrol the school every morning. After additional concerns were raised, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a two-day enforcement effort and issued 65 citations. That detail makes the story more than a neighborhood complaint; it shows an active county public-safety response.

Although this is not an Edgewater-specific incident, it has practical relevance for local readers because school-zone safety is a countywide concern. Families in Edgewater navigate similar pickup lines, flashing beacons and enforcement questions every school day. The Lake Helen case offers a useful look at how camera enforcement is working in Volusia County and where residents may still push for stronger traffic enforcement around schools.