The Brief
- State Rep. Dale Washburn, R-Macon, tells the FOX 5 I-Team he’ll try to put an end to automated school zone speed cameras next year – pushing a bill that would bar cities, counties and school systems from operating them.
- The camera systems clock vehicle speeds, photograph license plates and send speeding citations by mail – frustrating many drivers who sometimes receive multiple tickets before they know they received the first one.
- A series of I-Team investigations over the past year uncovered thousands of speeding tickets issued unfairly in several areas of metro Atlanta, resulting in more than half a million dollars in fines being returned to drivers.
- If approved by the Georgia Legislature and signed by the governor, Washburn’s proposed bill would overturn a 2018 law allowing school zone tickets to be issued by machines – a law made possible by then-Speaker of the House David Ralston.
ATLANTA – Automated school zone speed cameras: A good way to slow traffic around kids? Or a cash grab?
With the next session of the Georgia Legislature right around the corner, that debate is about to pick up again, with one lawmaker already announcing plans to put speed cameras on the chopping block.
Why you should care: Georgia currently allows school zone speed limits to be enforced by machines, with first violations usually costing $75 to $80 and subsequent citations costing about $125 to $130.
The camera systems, set up along roadways near schools throughout the state, record passing drivers, photograph speeders, and send citations in the mail. They generate millions of dollars in revenue for local governments, schools and private camera companies – who argue the cameras slow down traffic and keep children, parents and teachers safe.…