Lake Wales Red Light Cameras Go Live Today on State Road 60
Red light cameras are coming to State Road 60 in Lake Wales, and drivers have one month to get used to them before citations start arriving in the mail.
The City of Lake Wales launches the grace period for its Red Light Camera Enforcement Program today, targeting three westbound intersections along SR-60. For the next 30 days, drivers caught running a red light will receive a written warning mailed to the registered vehicle owner, complete with images documenting the violation. No fines will be issued during that period.
Full enforcement begins July 25. After that, each red-light violation carries a $158 fine. No points will be added to the driver’s license, and every citation must be reviewed and approved by a Lake Wales Police Department officer before it is issued.
The three camera locations are at Westbound State Road 60 at 1st Street, 3rd Street, and 11th Street.
The city contracted with Altumint, a Maryland-based automated traffic solutions company, following a competitive bid process. The Lake Wales City Commission unanimously approved the contract in spring 2025. Of the $158 fine, $75 returns directly to the city, with the remainder distributed to the Florida Department of Revenue under state law.
Lt. Palmer of the Lake Wales Police Department said the program is about more than issuing tickets.
“Some citizens have stressed their concern about the cameras that are going to be integrated into this program, but the importance of these cameras is to change the behaviors of these motorists,” he said. “If we can save lives with implementing a program like this, we feel it’s got value.”
Lake Wales becomes the sixth Polk County city to adopt automated traffic enforcement cameras, joining Lakeland, Haines City, Bartow, Lake Alfred, and Auburndale. Programs vary across the county, with some cities running red light cameras, some running school zone speed cameras under a 2023 state law, and some running both.
Lakeland is among the most recent to expand enforcement, activating 14 school zone speed cameras near eight school campuses in early 2026. That push came after 13 students in Polk County were killed after being struck by vehicles in the 2023-24 school year. Lake Alfred’s school zone speed camera program went live with citations in January 2025. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office does not currently participate in any red light or school zone speed camera programs.
Drivers with questions about the Lake Wales program can contact the Lake Wales Police Department.
Sources: City of Lake Wales official news release, lakewalesfl.gov; Lake Wales City Commission Workshop Minutes, April 30, 2025; WFLA, “Lake Wales approves contract for red light and school zone speed cameras,” May 12, 2025; ABC Action News, “Lake Wales leaders approve red-light cameras, speed detection in school zones,” December 14, 2024; Bay News 9, “Slow down: School zone speed cameras now active in some local cities, counties,” August 12, 2025
