The first two cameras set to nab drivers speeding through school zones in the city of Buffalo will go live on Wednesday, meaning the start of issuing tickets.
City officials say since the cameras started going up in January, 90,000 warnings have gone out for drivers going too fast near schools.
That warning period is over, and violators will begin receiving $50 fines on Wednesday in two selected school zones at first — in front of Canisius High School on Delaware Avenue and the Stanley Makowski School on Jefferson Avenue.
There will be flashing beacons during the posted school hours to go with the 15 mile per hour speed limit signs.
It's important to note: the cameras will only trigger a violation for someone going over 26 miles per hour, but police on the streets can still write you a ticket for driving faster than 15 mph.
City leaders say the trend is more drivers slowing down with the cameras in place. Since they went up in January, drivers in compliance for driving less than 26 mph has jumped from 34 percent to 88 percent.
Those driving the 15 mph speed limit or slower went from 5 percent to 33 percent as of February 28.
"We are now beginning to see increased compliance, drivers slowing down as they go by schools," said Mayor Bryon W. Brown.
"Many teachers, school officials, parents have been advocating for this and for other improvements and many have at least anecdotally told me it's created a much more calm environment around schools," added Department of Public Works Commissioner Michael Finn.
There was discussion among Common Council members last week about only issuing the fines in the hours before and after school when kids are arriving or leaving.
Brown said he's open to talking about it, but would rather keep the program throughout the entire school day.
"The reason for that is to ensure the safety of children, school personnel, school crossing guards, parents coming in and out for different reasons," Brown said.
He also added it is the city's belief that it would require a change in state law to have the fine periods limited to those before and after school hours.
The city will roll out eight more school speed zones to go live, and while there is no firm dates for those, city officials say they will again publicly notify area drivers each time.
The plan is to eventually have 20 school speed zones set up throughout the city.
If you think you're fined by mistake, you can have a hearing to try and get it resolved, but city officials say the cameras are better than 99 percent accurate.