Automatic speeding tickets issued by school zone cameras are temporarily suspended in Macon.
Bibb County Sheriff David Davis announced he decided to pause the citations after receiving negative feedback from the local community and unclarity from Georgia legislators about enforcement of the cameras.
The suspension could last until Georgia legislators decide whether to ban them statewide or not, Davis announced Wednesday on a Facebook video.
“There’s been a lot of conversation and a lot of scrutiny in our community lately about these school zone speed cameras,” Davis said.
The sheriff’s office will not approve any citation that has already been issued, and no tickets will be given moving forward.
Speed limits in speed zones must still be obeyed, Davis added.
“We should allow the legislative process to move through the necessary steps to bring clarity to the laws governing these camera operations ..., ” he said. “In the meantime, please drive carefully.”
The Senate Public Safety Committee discussed two House bills Wednesday that would either revise current automatic traffic ticket laws, or ban them completely.
Macon State Rep. Dale Washburn (R) proposed House Bill 225 in February, which would “repeal all laws relative to the enforcement of speeding violations in school zones through the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices,” it states. The bill passed through the House in a 129-37 vote on March 4.
Hartwell State Rep. Alan Powell (R) proposed House Bill 651, which passed through the House in a 164-8 vote.
He called the cameras “a revenue generator” Wednesday’s committee meeting.
This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Macon Telegraph.
