Starting on Sept. 16 the City of Renton will begin issuing citations to motorists who exceed the speed limit at McKnight Middle School and Renton High School, as part of the city’s program to use cameras to catch speeders.

The city has also installed speed cameras at Talbot Hill Elementary School and a 30-day warning period will begin on Sept. 2.

The registered owners of the offending cars will receive a notice of infraction in the amount of $124 when the speed violation is 6 to 15 mph over the posted school zone speed. If the violation speed exceeds 15 mph the penalty is $250.

The citations that will be issued to violators at McKnight Middle School and Renton High School follow a 30-day warning period that also included testing of the cameras and a training session for law-enforcement officers.

The initial phase of the warning period for McKnight Middle School and Renton High School was in early July, during the summer school program. During this time a total of 1084 warning notices were sent to violators at McKnight Middle School and 897 to violators at Renton High School.

“We continue to provide warning signs to advise motorists about the cameras and encourage responsible driving in our school zones,” said Mayor Denis Law. “As children start school after Labor Day, I urge everyone to slow down.”

In addition to the warning signs currently installed, the city is adding additional signs near the intersections to alert drivers to the school zones and provide ample warning of the speed cameras.

The cameras operate during school hours and capture still photographs and video of every vehicle that exceeds the school zone speed limit. Each fixed speed site is posted with a photo enforcement sign in addition to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control devices approved for school zones.

The City of Renton has a contract with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) to provide the photo enforcement program. ATS is installing and maintaining all equipment related to this program and process. If a violation occurs, a notice of infraction will be sent to the vehicle’s owner. Violators may view a 12-second video clip through the website www.ViolationInfo.com, provided by ATS.

Photos are not taken until the law is broken, and the cameras only capture pictures of the rear of the offending vehicle and license plate. These cameras pose no threat to privacy and cut down on vehicles violating speed regulations.