Speeding on neighborhood streets is one of the most common safety complaints in a community association. Children, walkers, cyclists, and golf carts share the same roads as cars and delivery trucks. Several tools are available to a board, and they work best when used together.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. The association's attorney should be consulted.
Start With the Governing Documents and Road Ownership
Before any plan is adopted, two questions should be answered.
- Who owns the roads. Public roads are controlled by the city or county, and changes to them must be requested from that government. Private roads are usually owned and maintained by the association.
- What the documents allow. The declaration and bylaws should be reviewed to confirm the board's authority to install signs or devices on common areas, to adopt vehicle rules, and to impose fines. Fines in a homeowners association may be imposed only after at least 14 days' written notice and an opportunity for a hearing before an independent committee, as required by section 720.305.
Involve Local Law Enforcement
Under section 316.006, the board of a homeowners association may, by majority vote, elect to have state traffic laws enforced by local law enforcement on private roads controlled by the association. A city or county may also exercise traffic control jurisdiction over private roads by written agreement with the owner of the roads, and such an agreement may cover reimbursement of costs, liability insurance, and indemnification.
The local police department or sheriff's office should be contacted to learn how an agreement works in that jurisdiction. Visible patrols, even occasional ones, tend to change driving habits.
Signs and Reminders
Speed limit signs should be posted at entrances and along long straight stretches where speeding is most common. Signs on private roads should be reviewed with a traffic professional so that their placement and design make sense. Additional measures include:
- Driver feedback signs that display a vehicle's speed
- Reminders printed on gate passes or given by gate staff to guests and vendors
- Notices to owners asking them to share speed rules with their guests, contractors, and delivery services
Traffic Calming Devices
Speed humps, speed tables, speed cushions, and rumble strips are physical ways to slow traffic. Costs vary widely. Before any device is installed:
- A civil engineer with traffic experience should recommend the type and location of devices.
- Effects on emergency vehicles, drainage, and accessibility should be considered.
- The city or county should be consulted about permits and code requirements, especially where any road is public or the association has an agreement for law enforcement.
- Devices should be clearly marked and lit so they do not create a hazard of their own.
Speed Monitoring Technology
Cameras and radar devices that record speeds and license plates are offered by private vendors. Data from these systems can help a board see when and where speeding happens. If the data is used to support a fine, the governing documents must authorize the fine, the vehicle must be connected to an owner or the owner's tenant or guest, and the full notice and hearing process must be followed. Camera use, data retention, and owner privacy should be reviewed with the association's attorney before a contract is signed.
Communicate Consistently
Rules work best when owners understand why they exist. Regular reminders through email, the newsletter, and the community website help, along with a clear message that the goal is safety rather than revenue. Owners should be told how to report speeding and what happens after a report is made. Enforcement should be applied evenly to every owner, including board members and their guests.
A consistent approach to violations is described in
how to properly handle HOA violation notices, and the care of shared roads and amenities is covered in
HOA practices for common areas.
Help With Community Safety
Changing driving habits takes time and a steady message. Rule review, vendor coordination, and owner communication are handled for the communities managed by Condominium Associates. To talk about speeding in your community,
contact us.
