NCST News Your Last Warning!
The speed cameras installed in the Glanton Elementary School Zone will start issuing tickets on Monday, April 8th, 2024.
The cameras, which were installed in a partnership between the Coweta County School System and RedSpeed USA back in early February, are located in a .4 mile stretch of South Highway 29 that is designated as a School Zone.
If they catch you, the registered owner of the vehicle will receive a citation in the mail.
Important Facts
- The cameras may only operate within the School Zone, during days in which class is actually being held, and from 1 hour prior to class start until 1 hour past the end of class.
- The cameras are only able to generate violations for those caught going in excess of 10 MPH over the posted speed limit ( 45 MPH ).
- Unlike normal speeding tickets issued in person which are criminal violations, violations from the cameras generate set civil monetary penalties. This means it can’t be used by insurance companies to raise rates, won’t add points to your license, and won’t be placed on your motor vehicle driving record.
Fines, Fees, and Enforcement
The fines and fees issued for violations documented by the cameras are set in the state law allowing for their use ( GA Code § 40-14-18 (2022) ) and are set out below.
$75.00 – For a first violation.
$125.00 – For a second violation and any subsequent violation.
An electronic processing fee of no more than $25.00 may be charged for each violation.
The registered owner of the vehicle will be sent a citation for the violation, as well as relevant information regarding the time and location of the violation, the speed at which you were captured as well as image(s) generated by the cameras of the violation. It will also contain information about the civil monetary penalty and any fees stemming from the violation, as well as the date by which It must be paid.
The citation, and accompanying information, must be sent via First Class mail within 30 days of the agency learning of the name and address of the registered owner, but no more than 60 days from the date of the violation.
Unlike a normal speeding ticket, which is a criminal violation and can be disputed by appearing in court, violations generated by the cameras are civil penalties. You may however still dispute the violation in an administrative hearing. The information regarding requesting such a hearing will be included with the citation.
If the registered owner of the vehicle receives a citation and contests the fact that they were the individual operating the vehicle at the time of the violation, they must request an administrative hearing and swear in open court to such facts. Alternatively, the registered owner may submit a police report showing that the vehicle was reported stolen during the time of the violation.
The registered owner of the vehicle has 30 days unless otherwise stated in the information with the citation, from the date of mailing to pay the civil penalty or request an administrative hearing.
If the registered owner fails to contest or pay the citation no less than 30 days from its being sent, but not more than 60 days from the date it was sent, the agency shall send them a second notice with a new date by which it must be returned.
If the registered owner fails to contest or pay the citation by the date of return stated in the second notice, they will waive their right to contest the violation and be liable for the full civil penalty.
A final notification will then be sent informing them that if the civil penalty isn’t paid in full within 30 days of the date the final notice was mailed it will be referred to the GA Department of Revenue which will deny any request for renewal of the vehicles registration, or transfer of the title of ownership until such time as the penalties, fees and any late fees are paid in full and proof is provided to the Department of Revenue.
The Law and it’s Opposition
The law allowing for the operation of automated traffic enforcement devices for school safety, HB978(2017/2018), was signed into law by Governor Kemp in 2018 and also included provisions allowing for the use of cameras installed on school buses to generate violations resulting from vehicles illegally overtaking school buses.
The law requires that each school system that wants to install the devices must apply for, and receive a permit from the GA Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation approves permits based on need and makes that decision based on rules and regulations they developed after the passage of the law.
It also requires that all citations generated by the cameras be verified for validity by an officer or agent for the agency authorized to enforce the speed limit within the School Zone. They are also required to appear at administrative hearings for contested violations.
Billed by its supporters as a needed step in protecting the safety of school children, it passed in a year that saw at least 3 children injured or killed by accidents in various Atlanta area School Zones.
Its detractors at the time pointed to the fact that Matt Ralston, son of then Speaker of the House David Ralston, was a paid lobbyist for American Speed Solutions, one of the three largest traffic camera manufacturers. The company has since renamed itself as All Traffic Solutions.
Just this year two bills that sought to change, or even abolish the law, failed to make it to the Governers desk after lacking the needed votes.
Information from the Grantville Police Department
The Grantville Police Department first posted about the installation and impending operation of the cameras in February. They note that the cameras won’t start issuing tickets until April 8th, more than 30 days after they were installed. This is due to a provision in the law that requires nothing but warnings be given out for the first 30 days, allowing time for the general public to become aware of their installation.
Most recently, the GPD posted on April 2nd, reminding citizens of the impending operational status of the cameras.
