NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — Drivers in Neptune Beach could face fines for speeding in school zones, even if a law enforcement officer isn't present.
The Neptune Beach City Council will hear an ordinance during a Tuesday meeting, on whether the city should install automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones.
If approved, drivers going at least 10 mph over the speed limit in a school zone would be fined $100.
The citation would be sent by mail, including a photo or recorded image showing the driver's license plate, the date and time the violation occurred and the speed the vehicle was going while inside school zone limits.
Money from the citations would go to fund more license plate readers throughout the city to enhance public safety.
The program proposed in Neptune Beach would also be entirely funded by the funds from traffic violators, and would not be funded directly from taxpayers.
The city would need to notify the public of the cameras before they are used for speed enforcement.
All school zones would need to have signs letting drivers know their speeding is being enforced through an automated camera system.
The cameras would only operate when school zones are in effect and 30 minutes before and after, and would be off during weekends, holidays and school breaks.
They would also focus solely on drivers speeding, not drivers running red lights or committing any other traffic violation.
In a report sent to city council, the Neptune Beach Police Department Chief Michael Key said the program's goal is to reduce the chance of injury to children.
NBPD conducted a speed study near Neptune Beach Elementary School and Beaches Chapel to see just how many speeding offenses occur during school hours. In a single day, there were 200 violations for Neptune Beach Elementary School and 182 violations for the Beaches Chapel during school hours.
NBPD said the program is also being researched by the City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach.
The ordinance will be read for the first time during the 6 p.m. Tuesday meeting and will need to be approved during a second and final reading in the coming weeks.
The Florida legislature passed HB 657, authorizing the use of automated traffic devices in school zones on July 1, 2023.