Automated speed cameras are a point of contention in school zones across Georgia.
As Georgia lawmakers gear up for the upcoming legislative session, the hotly contested topic of automated speed cameras in school zones is back on the table. With proposals ranging from complete bans to reforms aimed at improving safety, the discussion is heating up. Revenue from fines has exceeded $112 million since 2019, prompting widespread criticism and calls for change. Advocates for these cameras argue they enhance safety, while critics claim they serve primarily as revenue generators. As new proposals emerge, the future of automated speed enforcement in Georgia hangs in the balance.
As the next legislative session approaches, Georgia state lawmakers are gearing up to dive back into a hot topic that affects many drivers and school zones alike: automated school zone speed cameras. This debate could lead to significant changes in how these cameras operate—or even a ban on their use altogether.
To kick things off, Rep. Dale Washburn from Macon has plans to bring forth a proposal aimed at completely banishing these cameras. Currently, under Georgia law, automated speed cameras are used to enforce speeding rules in school zones. Fines handed out can range from $75 to $130, depending on how fast a driver is speeding. These cameras not only catch speedsters in the act, but they also snap pictures of license plates, sending citations directly to the offending driver in the mail.
So where does all that money from the fines go? The revenue generated from these citations is shared among local governments, school districts, and the private companies that manage these cameras. Since their introduction, the automated cameras have raked in over $112 million for municipalities since 2019 alone! That’s a pretty penny, but not everyone is thrilled about this windfall.
Many drivers, including individuals like Denise Atkins, have expressed their frustration regarding the bombardment of citations. Some have found themselves receiving multiple tickets in short timeframes, leading to a lot of head-scratching about the fairness of the system. Washburn has voiced concerns too, arguing that these camera systems are more about entrapping drivers and raking in cash than actually ensuring safety on the roads.
Earlier in the year, there were two proposals that ultimately floundered: one aimed at reforming how the camera systems operated, and the other proposed banishing them altogether. The crux of the controversy boils down to whether these cameras are doing their job in making school zones safer or if they’re more about filling local coffers.
Some officials and critics, including Rep. Clay Pirkle, have gone so far as to label these cameras as a new form of “taxation through citation.” They contend that the cameras mainly generate revenue rather than fulfilling the safety role they were designed for. In recent surveys, various issues with the cameras have come to light, like misprogrammed timers and misplaced speed limit signs that result in wrongful citations. This has led some drivers to receive refunds after disputes.
However, not all is doom and gloom for the automated speed cameras. Supporters argue that these devices have played an essential role in increasing safety around schools by reducing speeds and, consequently, potential accidents. With their presence, local police departments have asserted that they are crucial for ensuring the safety of children and school staff.
As the debate heats up, new legislative proposals are on the horizon. Changes could possibly lead to tighter regulations on visibility of signs, restricting tickets to designated school zone hours, and even banning for-profit companies from taking a cut of the fines collected.
With the Georgia General Assembly set to kick off its 2025-26 regular session on January 13, 2025, anticipation is growing about how this contentious issue will unfold. Will lawmakers take steps to reform the current system, or will they heed the calls for a ban? Only time will tell how this debate will shape the future of automated speed cameras in Georgia.
Stay tuned, as changes in legislation could mean a different road ahead for all of us navigating those school zones!
Decatur to Launch Speed Camera Initiative in School Zones Starting October
Decatur City Commission to Address Speed Cameras in School Zones at Upcoming Meeting
I-Team: Thousands ticketed by school zone cameras set up further from the school than law allows
ATL and Riverdale to Refund Drivers Wrongly Ticketed by Speed Cams
I-Team Discovers Additional Unfair School Zone Camera Violations in Eastern Atlanta
I-Team Findings Uncover Unfair School Zone Camera Tickets in East Atlanta
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