NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — When driving through school zones in Neptune Beach, drivers may soon get a speeding ticket - even if they don't see a police officer present.
That's because the city is in the process of approving three speed ticket cameras.
City leaders say it's all to reduce the number of "close calls" crossing guards have reported about drivers neglecting students walking to and from school.
“It's not an issue of if, it's an issue of when that potentially something like this is going to happen in our community,” said Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key.
If you're going at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit in a school zone throughout Neptune Beach, a new ordinance in the works will charge $100 to drivers by using speed ticket cameras to detect them.
One of the speed ticketing cameras will be installed on Florida Boulevard and 3rd Street.
Chief Key says through a study, law enforcement learned those streets are some of the most popular places where drivers are not following the posted speed limits.
“If you're barreling through a school zone at 30, 35, 40 mph, it presents a serious danger and risk to not only the children, but also the crossing guards as well,” Chief Key added.
The cameras would only be operated when school zones are in effect, so 30 minutes before and after students are going or leaving school.
The speed ticket cameras will also be off during weekends, holidays and school breaks.
The camera's main focus is to catch speeding drivers, an issue Chief Key says they hope to solve near Fletcher Middle School, Beaches Chapel School and Neptune Beach Elementary.
“If you don't see the signage by the school zone, you don't see the posted speed limit, you don't see the big, flashing yellow lights that are telling you you're entering a school zone, you don't see the sign that it's photo enforced, I think you're distracted,” Chief Key explained.
If the ordinance is passed, speed ticket cameras would take a picture of the license plate of any vehicle going more than 10 mph in a school zone and mail a $100 ticket. It's a price Chief Key says is significantly less than an average speeding ticket.
“15 over, now we're talking about $415 in citations, so yeah is a $100 citation hopefully going to get your attention? Yes, but it's not nearly as bad as it could be if an officer actually spotted you doing it,” he said.
Neptune Beach would add additional signage and lights to the three school zones to remind drivers cameras are in place so drivers slow down.
“There are no points against your drivers' licenses, it can't be used to rake up your insurance rates, we're trying to modify behavior by getting into someone's pocketbook a little bit,”
If the ordinance is approved by Neptune Beach City Council, Chief Key says drivers will have a 30-day grace period to adjust to the cameras, but encourages everyone to follow the school zone speed limits before the cameras are in place.
The next city council meeting to discuss plans for the three speed ticket cameras will be held on March 4.