NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — Drivers in Neptune Beach will soon be hit with speeding tickets without even getting pulled over.

On April 3, automated cameras near two Neptune Beach schools will begin issuing citations to drivers who drive over the speed limit by more than 10 mph in designated school zones.

The cameras are located near Neptune Beach Elementary School and Beaches Chapel School. The zones will be displayed with a “photo enforced” signs under speed limit signs to signal drivers that speed cameras are in that area.

Neptune Beach Police plan to eventually add cameras on Seagate Avenue by Fletcher High School as well.

“Our primary concern is the safety of our children,” Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key Jr. said. “We work hard to keep them safe at school but we’ve got to get them there safely first. By implementing school zone speed cameras, we can enforce speed limits more effectively, even when officers are not physically present. This technology ensures continuous monitoring and enhances the safety of school zones.”

Neptune Beach City Council voted last year to approve speed cameras in school zones.

Citations cost $100 and will be enforced for an hour when students are released.

“The addition of school zone cameras is a big step toward making sure drivers stay aware and conscientious in our school zone. Coupled with the presence of dedicated police officers and the ‘Be Safe. Be Seen’ initiative, it really shows a well-rounded approach to keeping students safe,” Neptune Beach Elementary Principal Elizabeth Kavanaugh said.

Neptune Beach Elementary Parent Justin Carmel says he finds himself in the carline along Florida Boulevard just about every day.

“I thought they did away with the speed cameras in the whole state a few years ago, and I was okay with that,” said Carmel. “I’d prefer not to see them come back.”

The last thing he wants to worry about is a speeding ticket camera.

“The traffic’s heavy enough that you can’t really build up too much speed anyways, so I don’t think it’s a major issue,” said Carmel. “I have kids that go to this school and I’m not really too worried about it.”

Neptune Beach city leaders are worried about it after a study found about 200 cars were going more than 10 miles an hour over the limit in front of both Beaches Chapel School and Neptune Beach Elementary on a random school day.

“I’m all for it,” said Witt. “I think I see way too many people speeding in school zones going way too fast, and I’m the first person to try to go out to flag them down to slow down the vehicles.”

There will be a 40-day warning period beginning Feb. 24. Warnings will be issued instead of citations during that time.

“That feels fine,” said Fletcher Middle Parent Dominique Witt. “That gives a lot of leeway so it’s safe. It’s not very hard to do, and if it can help people and keep kids safe, then I think it’s the right way to go.”

The cameras will only be on from an hour before school starts to an hour after it ends and the tickets will not add any points to driver’s licenses, according to NBPD.

“It is in the public’s best interest to keep the children safe, but not everyone is on board with this,” said Neptune Beach Mayor Cori Bylund. “We’re going to try it out for a year to see if this is something we’re interested in continuing.”