News Summary
Drivers in Atlanta are expressing frustration after receiving speeding citations from malfunctioning school zone speed cameras. Reports indicate that citations were issued despite warning lights not functioning properly at the time. The city confirmed the lights’ malfunction and has pledged to refund unfairly cited drivers. However, there is concern over unclear signage and the rapid increase of speed cameras in Georgia, prompting discussions about potential reforms. The situation highlights ongoing issues with the speed camera system, raising questions about its true purpose and effectiveness.
Atlanta drivers are facing confusion and frustration after receiving speeding citations from malfunctioning school zone speed cameras. The issue came to light when drivers reported receiving tickets despite the warning lights not functioning correctly at the time of the violations. Atlanta Public Schools had contracted the private company Verra Mobility to operate these cameras, leading to a collection of over $3.1 million in citations from September 18, 2023, to October 23, 2024.
Natalie Patterson was one such driver who received a $75 speeding citation for allegedly driving 37 mph in a 25 mph zone near The Kindezi at Gideons Elementary School. She expressed her lack of awareness regarding the flashing warning lights as she drove on Metropolitan Parkway. Similarly, Atlanta Councilmember Antonio Lewis also received a citation and shared his confusion about the school’s proximity to the camera.
On October 22, 2024, Atlanta Public Schools confirmed that the warning lights tied to the speed cameras were malfunctioning at the time tickets were issued. The Atlanta Department of Transportation and the Georgia Department of Transportation manage the timing of these lights based on the school’s schedule. Following the revelation of this issue, the malfunctioning lights were repaired by the very next day.
In light of the malfunctioning equipment, the city announced its commitment to refunding drivers who received citations unfairly due to the faulty warning signals. However, drivers like Patterson and Lewis argue that merely fixing the lights does not truly solve the problem. They emphasize that there is a notable lack of clear signage to inform drivers of the exact enforcement times on Metropolitan Parkway, which adds to the confusion.
Financial Implications
Despite the ongoing issues with warning lights and clear signage, Verra Mobility has collected a total of $3,188,93 in speed citations, generating approximately $3.1 million in revenue during the aforementioned period. The revenue from these citations is distributed, with 66% allocated to the city and Atlanta Public Schools and 34% going to the camera operator. This collection has raised concerns, especially as 133,000 drivers were reported to have been unable to renew their vehicle registrations due to unpaid citations as of September 2023.
Legislative Action and Public Response
The drastic increase in speed camera installations in Georgia, skyrocketing from 39 permits in 2019 to 290 in 2023, has stirred public sentiment against their primary purposes. Since the law permitting the operation of speed cameras was enacted, municipalities have earned more than $112 million in related revenue. This has prompted legislative discussions regarding the oversight of the powers granted to school boards concerning speed cameras. Despite bipartisan momentum and pressure from the public, the Georgia General Assembly did not enact any reforms or bans regarding school zone speed cameras during the recent legislative session.
Lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the potential for misuse of speed cameras, especially in cases where warnings are incorrectly displayed. Proposed reforms aimed at ensuring improved communication about speed limits and camera enforcement times include better signage alerting drivers of their speeds before they enter monitored zones. However, these proposals ran into difficulties in the Senate due to strong lobbying from camera operation companies.
Future Considerations and Potential Changes
As complaints continue to rise and reports of tickets issued outside officially enforceable times mount, there are growing calls for either comprehensive reform or a full ban on speed cameras in school zones. The issue remains under consideration, with future legislative discussions expected in 2026 as recent bills are set to remain active for the next cycle. There is increasing public critique suggesting that these cameras might be more focused on revenue generation rather than safety enforcement.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Georgia’s Traffic Ticket Legislation Gets a Second Chance
Debate Over School Zone Speed Cameras Intensifies in Georgia
Additional Resources
- KBTX: Atlanta Drivers Incorrectly Ticketed by Speed Cameras
- Wikipedia: Speed Camera
- WSAZ: Atlanta Drivers Incorrectly Ticketed by Speed Cameras
- Google Search: Speed Cameras Georgia 2025
- Fox5 Atlanta: Lawmakers Fail to Pass School Zone Speed Camera Reforms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- Decaturish: Georgia Legislature Ends Session Without Passing Speed Camera Bill
- Google News: Georgia School Zone Speed Cameras
