GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has been investigating complaints that there are not enough warnings for drivers entering school speed camera zones.
A new state law took effect last month requiring more visible signs to alert drivers that they’re in a school zone.
Drivers who Channel 2 Action News spoke with said they didn’t know speed cameras are still operating while students are in class in the middle of the day.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln learned municipalities are using the cameras as speed enforcement for the regular set speed limit and not the reduced school speed limit.
“If you’re in a zone that has a restricted speed through a certain amount of time, I think those lights should be flashing,” Gwinnett County driver James Zinn said.
That’s why Zinn is fighting three school zone speeding tickets. Two of them were issued within less than three miles of one another in Norcross.
“On the same day, four minutes apart,” Zinn said.
One citation alleges he was driving 47 mph in a 35-mph school zone. Another said he was traveling 62 mph in a 45-mph zone.
Both tickets were issued just after noon, at 12:05 p.m. and 12:09 p.m.
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Zinn said he’s not disputing that he was speeding, but doesn’t agree that the citations were issued back-to-back
“You sit there, and you’ve got two violations, and they’re four minutes apart. How did I know I had a violation the first time if I wasn’t stopped or told?” Zinn said.
Zinn said he was driving on Beaver Ruin Road -- a four-lane divided highway in the middle of the day.
He said there were no flashing lights and not enough visible signage to alert him he was entering a speed camera zone.
“We see a police officer there. We know, ‘Whoa! we need to start watching our speed,’” Zinn said.
Norcross police told Lincoln that according to the city’s policy, no violations are sent for the same license plate within 14 days to allow enough time for drivers to receive violations and correct their driving.
“If you don’t tell somebody they violated something, how can you stop them a second time?” Zinn said.
Lincoln found that the company Red Speed owns and operates the cameras. Channel 2 Action News sent an email to them asking about Zinn’s double citations.
The company has not responded.
Earlier this year, Lincoln spoke with state Rep. Dale Washburn, who supported House Bill 651.
The law, which took effect this year, requires municipalities to install improved signs and flashing lights to better alert drivers when school zone cameras are enforcing the speed limit and allow voters to decide if they want these cameras in their communities by July 1, 2027.
“It is not about kids’ safety. It is about raking in money for local governments,” Washburn said. “A local community to either implement the cameras or to extend them must have a local referendum where the people approve that.”
Georgia law allows school zone speed cameras to operate one hour before school begins, throughout the school day while classes are in session, and for one hour after dismissal.
Lincoln also reached out to the City of Norcross about whether it plans to install additional warning signs under the new law. We’re still waiting for a response.