Mayor Andrew Connors of Titusville, Florida, is urging the county to install traffic cameras in the school zone surrounding James Madison Middle School on Dairy Road. The call follows a Monday‑morning collision in which a driver failed to stop at a stop sign, entered the school parking lot, and struck a bicyclist riding on the sidewalk.
The bicyclist, though injured, was airlifted to a hospital as a precaution and is expected to recover. Police confirmed that speed was not a factor in the crash; the primary issue was the driver’s failure to obey the stop sign.
Why cameras could help
Connors argues that cameras would serve a dual purpose: deterring both distracted driving and speeding in an area that sees heavy foot and vehicle traffic throughout the morning. “There’s a ton of kids coming in and out throughout all hours of the morning because schools start at different times,” the mayor said. “What people don’t realize is they get past the first school, well, there’s one right after.”
In addition to James Madison Middle School, an elementary school sits just steps away, creating a concentrated zone of student activity. Titusville police reported 45 traffic stops in the vicinity of the two schools this year, underscoring the need for additional safety measures.
Current camera coverage and county involvement
Earlier this year, Titusville activated speed cameras in six school zones, but Dairy Road remains one of the few school zones without any camera oversight because it is a county‑owned road. Connors criticized the previous county commissioner for not recognizing the need for cameras, noting that recent incidents highlight the urgency of the issue.
“Unfortunately, our previous county commissioner didn’t see the need for them, and I think incidents like yesterday just tell us that there is definitely a need,” Connors said.
Political context
The push for cameras comes as District 1 prepares for new leadership after the November general election. Republican Micah Loyd recently won the primary and will face Democrat Aldon Bookhardt, Libertarian Nathan Slusher, and write‑in candidate Stuart Buchanan on Nov. 3. Former District 1 Commissioner Katie Delaney resigned in May, and her seat is temporarily filled by Rita Pritchett.
Connors expressed optimism about working with the county to add the cameras at little to no cost for the city. “It would be pretty much no cost on the city. Definitely no cost on the county side,” he said. “We’re excited to work with the county to try to make that a possibility.”
Legal outcome for the driver
The driver involved in the crash was cited for failing to stop at the stop sign. No further legal actions were reported at the time of this writing.
Community members and parents have voiced support for the mayor’s proposal, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children as they travel to and from school. The proposed cameras would align with broader public‑safety efforts across Florida to reduce distracted driving, a growing concern nationwide.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
