Speed Study Results and New Education Campaign

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

Sanibel Police Chief Bill Dalton presented the Police Department Speed Management and Enforcement Priorities for 2025 and introduced the new “Slow Down Sanibel” campaign and video. Spearheading the educational efforts will be Public Information Officer Eric Jackson.

In 2025, All-Traffic Solutions deployed radar and traffic counters at 15 locations throughout Sanibel. These speed samples were conducted in response to resident complaints and to assess speed behavior along the City’s major roadways. They were deployed at:

• Periwinkle Way at Limpet Street
• Casa Ybel Road
• Island Inn Road
• Tarpon Bay Road
• Rabbit Road
• Sanibel-Captiva Road at Mile Markers 1 through 6
• Sanibel-Captiva Road at Rabbit Road
• Sanibel-Captiva Road at Pine Avenue
• Wulfert Road and Sanibel-Captiva Road
• Wulfert Road (Sanctuary Area)

Across all samples, the radar units recorded 2,015,814 vehicle passes. Of the total vehicles recorded, 4.37 percent (88,091 vehicles) exceeded the posted speed limit by 10 mph or more. In 2025, there were 3,592 traffic offenders; 209 were repeat offenders (5.82%). That means 94.18 percent of traffic offenders comply with speed limits after they experience a traffic stop.

The analysis identified trends across major routes. The west end of Sanibel-Captiva Road and Casa Ybel Road showed the highest speeding rates. Speeding was minimal on Periwinkle Way, Wulfert Road, Tarpon Bay Road, Rabbit Road, and Island Inn Road.

Two dedicated traffic enforcement officers focus on speeding and DUI enforcement, in addition to the automated speed enforcement camera system at the Sanibel School.

The results of these enforcement efforts in 2025 included: 3,877 traffic stops; 3,755 radar assignments; 1,319 citations and NTAs (Notice to Appear) issued; 183 Arrests (physical/NTA) and 39 DUI arrests; 131 crashes investigated; and 1,518 Automated Speed Camera warnings and citations.

Police Chief Dalton said, “I don’t want to get a reputation as a ticket trap. I don’t think we should change our style of enforcement.”