Key Points:
• Motorists will soon see more signs warning them of cameras enforcing school zone speed limits.
• Residents said they were unaware that enforcement of existing speed limits continues even when the lights on speed limit signs aren’t flashing.
Sandy Springs will install more signs warning motorists of school zones after council members received complaints about speeding tickets drivers received since the city began using speed enforcement cameras.
City Manager Eden Freeman said during the Sept. 16 city council meeting that staff would install additional signs on Dalrymple and Heards Ferry Roads, warning that speed enforcement cameras are ahead. The cameras are installed in school zones near Riverwood and North Springs high schools.
“Folks swear they’re not speeding, and it’s a tricky situation, because the goal of this is completely worthy, and there’s speeding everywhere,” Council Member Andy Bauman said.
Freeman said the speed limits for school zones are set by the state. On school days from 7:20 to 8:20 a.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the speed limit is 25 mph. Lights on speed limit signs flash during those hours.
“So if they received a ticket during that time period, they were going 35 or higher,” Freeman said.
The normal speed limit on those roads is 35 mph. Freeman said tickets are issued during the school day even if the lights aren’t flashing but aren’t issued unless a motorist exceeds the speed limit by 10 mph. Police officers review videos of violations before the tickets are issued.
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Council Member Melissa Mular said the confusion seems to be that residents aren’t aware that the speed camera enforcement continues even when the lights aren’t flashing.
Since the cameras’ installation, Freeman said 2,275 citations were issued. Of those speeding tickets, 1,736 occurred when signs were flashing with the 25-mph speed limit. Another 538 citations were issued when the signs were not flashing, with vehicles ticketed that were traveling 45 mph or faster. A first offense costs $75, with the fine rising to $125 for additional offenses.
Two bills in the General Assembly are likely to bring changes to the speed camera enforcement programs. Freeman said one proposed bill does away with their use and the other would dedicate the funds collected for school safety.
Mayor Rusty Paul said he’s received a few emails from parents who asked to keep the camera program for the sake of their kids’ lives. He said speeding should be a broader discussion held with parents who have children at the schools.
Freeman said she would ask Police Chief Ken DeSimone to bring Police Lt. Timothy Sheffield, who oversees traffic and bike units, to the council’s next work session.
