GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County man says a school-zone speeding citation cost him more than the penalty. He says the violation led to his termination and has raised questions about Georgia’s school-zone camera enforcement laws.
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Tiere Robinson, who recently moved to Georgia, told Channel 2 Action News he did not realize school-zone speed cameras can issue citations during the school day even when warning lights are not flashing.
“Now when I go past school zones, I’m extra nervous,” Robinson said.
Robinson said he received a citation in August while driving a company vehicle to a pest-control appointment on Bunten Road. According to the citation, he was traveling 45 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. Because the school-zone speed limit was 25 mph at the time, the citation alleged he was driving 20 mph over the school-zone limit.
“A day or two later, I was let go,” Robinson said.
Robinson argues drivers should receive additional warnings when school-zone cameras are actively enforcing speed limits.
“They should have the lights flashing. First of all, they weren’t flashing at all,” he said.
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In a statement to Channel 2 Action News, Arrow said Robinson violated the company’s Vehicle Responsibility Agreement by exceeding the school-zone speed limit by 20 mph.
“While we understand and sympathize with Mr. Robinson’s position, our Vehicle Responsibility Agreement clearly states that conduct resulting in significant moving violations, including excessive speeding in school zones, may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination,” the company said.
Robinson said losing his job was devastating.
“You’re giving your all to a company and then not even have a warning,” he said.
For more than a year, Channel 2 Action News has reported on similar complaints from drivers who say they were unaware school-zone cameras can issue citations when warning lights are not flashing.
Georgia law allows school-zone speed cameras to enforce speed limits during designated school hours, regardless of whether flashing lights are activated. However, many drivers and lawmakers have argued that clearer signage and lighting are needed to alert motorists when cameras are enforcing speed limits.
This year, Georgia lawmakers passed House Bill 651, which requires municipalities to install improved signage and flashing lights at camera-enforced school zones. The law also allows voters to decide whether they want school-zone cameras operating in their communities. The changes take effect July 1, 2027.
Robinson said he paid the citation because he believed doing so would help him keep his job. However, Duluth police told Channel 2 Action News that once a citation is paid, it cannot be rescinded.
“I do feel like I could have gotten a lot more help by trying to dispute it,” Robinson said.
Arrow said it would consider rehiring Robinson if the city cancels the citation.
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School-zone camera citations in Georgia are civil penalties and do not result in criminal charges or points being assessed against a driver’s license.
Arrow shared the following statement with Channel 2 Action News:
“Safety is a core value at Arrow Exterminators, and we take the safe operation of company vehicles very seriously. Our team members who operate company vehicles are required to meet Arrow’s established Vehicle Responsibility standards.
In this situation, Arrow received documentation citing the company vehicle being operated by Mr. Robinson for traveling 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a school zone. Mr. Robinson had previously signed Arrow’s Vehicle Responsibility Agreement acknowledgment, which identifies traveling 20 MPH or more over the posted speed limit in any area as an unacceptable driving violation under our standards.
Arrow is self-insured, and driving violations of this nature can have a direct impact on the company’s insurance and overall risk exposure. Our policies are therefore based on the nature and severity of the reported driving conduct and our established vehicle safety standards.
We understand that Mr. Robinson has indicated that he intends to dispute the citation and that questions have been raised regarding school-zone camera citations. Should the issuing agency dismiss, rescind, or otherwise change the citation, Arrow would review any official documentation provided to us.
Because this involves a personnel matter, we are unable to discuss additional details regarding Mr. Robinson’s employment," said Shay Runion, Chief Development Officer.