Fort Lauderdale School Zone Speed Limits & Crossing Guards

Public Safety Florida 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida reduces speed and assigns crossing guards near many schools to protect students during arrivals and dismissals. This guide explains how school zone speed limits are set and enforced, who runs the crossing guard program, common violations, and how parents, school staff, and residents can report issues or request changes. It cites the city code and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for procedure and enforcement; where numbers or deadlines are not published on those pages, the guide states that fact and provides the official links for next steps.[1]

School Zone Speed Limits

Speed limits in school zones in Fort Lauderdale are posted on signs and are administered under local traffic regulations and engineering practices. Specific posted speeds, hours, and whether flashing beacons or school zone timers apply are set at the location by the city’s traffic engineering function and by ordinance or traffic control orders.[1]

Observe posted signs; unposted expectations are not enforceable.

Crossing Guards & Responsibilities

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department oversees or coordinates crossing guard staffing, training, and schedules for city-controlled crossings. Crossing guards direct students at marked crossings, follow approved procedures for stopping traffic, and report hazards or maintenance needs to traffic engineering or the police traffic unit.[2]

  • Guard duties: supervise crossings, wear reflective gear, follow training.
  • Report hazards to Police/Traffic Engineering for repair or signal checks.
  • Schedules: assigned arrival and dismissal windows; exact hours vary by school.
Crossing guards are a traffic safety control, not a substitute for parental supervision.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by Fort Lauderdale Police officers and traffic enforcement personnel; civil traffic citations or criminal charges for moving violations are processed through the Florida traffic citation system. Where the municipal code or department pages do not list specific fine amounts or escalation schedules for school-zone speed violations, those figures are not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page for city ordinances; see state citation for statutory ranges.
  • Escalation: first vs repeat offences and continuing offences - not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: court orders, driver license points, or other penalties per state law may apply; specific local administrative sanctions not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer: Fort Lauderdale Police Department Traffic Unit; complaints or requests go to the Police Department or Traffic Engineering for review.[2]
  • Evidence/records: citations and crash reports are filed with the Police Department; records request procedures follow city rules.

Appeals & Review

Traffic citations generally have an appeal route through the county court or traffic hearing process; specific time limits for filing an appeal or request for hearing are not specified on the cited municipal or department pages and must be confirmed on the citation or court notice. For administrative reviews of crossing guard placement or signage, contact the Police Department or Traffic Engineering as listed below.[2]

Applications & Forms

No specific municipal form for placing a crossing guard or setting a school-zone speed is published on the cited city pages; requests are typically made by school administrators or parent groups through the Police Department or Traffic Engineering and via official city service request channels, or by applying to city employment postings for crossing guard positions.[2]

FAQ

Who sets the posted school zone speed?
The city’s traffic engineering function and adopted traffic control orders set posted school-zone speeds; see the municipal code link for governing authority.[1]
Can I request a crossing guard?
Yes. Parents or schools should contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or Traffic Engineering to request evaluation; the city will review location, volumes, and safety needs.[2]
What happens if a driver speeds in a school zone?
Drivers may receive a traffic citation enforceable in county court; specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited municipal pages and are handled per the citation and state law.

How-To

  1. Document the issue: note location, times, and photos or videos if safe to obtain.
  2. Contact the school administration to confirm schedules and any existing requests for guards or signage.
  3. Report the concern to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or submit a service request to Traffic Engineering for evaluation.
  4. If requesting a crossing guard or new signage, provide petitions, crash data, or observations to support the request; the city will evaluate traffic counts and safety.

Key Takeaways

  • Observe posted school-zone speeds and watch for guards during posted hours.
  • Contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or Traffic Engineering to report hazards or request evaluations.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances - Traffic
  2. [2] Fort Lauderdale Police Department

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