BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — The Baker County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday speed cameras will be up and running in school zones countywide within the next few weeks.

Sheriff Scotty Rhoden said the idea came about after the sheriff’s office conducted a study several months ago. The study revealed “an increased number of speeders” going through school zones during school hours, according to the sheriff.

“With this enforcement, we’re hoping to reduce the number of speeders coming through our school zones, so we can keep our children safe, our buses safe and our school crossing guards safe,” Rhoden said in a Facebook post.

The sheriff’s office said when the cameras become operational, there will be a 30-day warning period. During the warning period, drivers who go 10 mph or over the speed limit will receive a warning by mail.

After the warning period ends, Rhoden said drivers caught speeding in a school zone will receive a $100 citation by mail that includes “supporting documentation such as the date, time, location and photographic evidence of the violation.”

According to the sheriff’s office, citations will be due 30 days after receipt and will not negatively effect a person’s driver’s license or insurance if paid within the 30 days. If a citation is not paid within 30 days, the citation will become a “Uniform Traffic Citation,” the sheriff’s office said; this could cause the fine to double, lead to a court appearance, and/or potentially effect a person’s vehicle insurance negatively and point success to their driver’s license.

The speed cameras will only be enforced while school is in session, including schools that administer summer school programs in the summer, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with questions about the sheriff’s office’s speed cameras program can call the BCSO at 904-259-0230 or email them at BCSO_LPR@bakerso.com.