Georgia School Zone Speed Cameras Collect $200M, Now Legislators Aim to Eliminate Them | Carscoops

      They assert that the cameras primarily serve as a revenue source, contributing little to safety.

      A proposed bill in Georgia aims to eliminate speed cameras from all school zones across the state.

      Drivers argue that the speed cameras issue unfair penalties, pointing out calibration and timing mistakes.

      Opponents maintain that the cameras offer continuous enforcement even in the absence of police.

      Georgia lawmakers seem to have forgotten quite quickly, as they now seek to abolish speed cameras in school zones, less than ten years after initially approving them. In 2018, the state permitted these cameras but restricted them to school zones, likely for reasons that appeared justifiable at the time. Now, those same lawmakers are preparing to reverse course. While the bill faces opposition, it has already passed through the House with ease.

      Speed cameras are a contentious issue almost everywhere. In Georgia, there are reports of numerous complaints regarding wrongly issued tickets. Residents claim the cameras are ticketing them for speeding even when schools are not in session.

      “The cameras are not calibrated correctly, and they are capturing violations during off-hours and after school hours, resulting in people receiving tickets for speeding when they shouldn’t. This is a major concern currently,” stated State Representative Brian Prince.

      The underlying issue? Calibration, or the lack thereof. Addressing this problem appears to be a difficult task for some lawmakers, leading them to favor a more straightforward solution: abolishing the cameras altogether.

      Since 2019, these cameras have generated over $112 million across 54 cities and counties, as reported by WANF-TV. Nonetheless, Macon Republican Dale Washburn, the sponsor of House Bill 225, claims that the figure is actually over $200 million. Additionally, the companies operating the cameras take a share of that income.

      “School zone cameras have brought in more than $200 million at the expense of Georgia citizens,” Washburn posted on Facebook today.

      “These camera companies are engaging in deceit and trickery,” Washburn told The Associated Press. “Their objective is to issue tickets, not to improve the safety of children.” However, not everyone shares this view.

      A Range of Opinions

      Conversely, supporters argue that the cameras are effective. In Decatur, a local police chief claims that speeding in school zones decreased by 92 percent after the cameras were installed. “We wouldn’t have attained those reductions without photo enforcement in school zones,” they stated.

      Additionally, there’s another aspect that may seem somewhat peculiar. Bill 651 would prevent the state from blocking registrations for individuals who fail to pay their fines. This situation echoes an odd case in Maryland, where just three drivers amassed over 330 tickets but retained their driving licenses. Both HB 225 and HB 651 have passed the House but still need to navigate the Senate before reaching the governor’s desk.

      It appears this speed camera debate is far from resolved. By the end of it, Georgia might develop a solution to keep the cameras, rectify the calibration problems, or eliminate the entire system. Stay tuned.