STAFF REPORT :::
The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on April 5 initiated a school zone speed safety program that will utilize an automated camera system to capture photographs of vehicles that exceed the speed limit in school zones.
The cameras will be operational one hour before school hours, throughout the school day and will extend one hour after school hours end.
Officials say the camera use during school hours will “ensure compliance with the regular posted speed limit.”
Warnings will be issued the first 30 days with no fines assessed for violations.
After that 30-day period ends, speeding violations will result in a $75 fine for first offenders and $175 fines for subsequent offenses.
Citations will not be issued unless a vehicle reaches 11 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit at the time of the offense.
In accordance with state law, signs are posted to alert drivers that a speed safety camera is monitoring the school zone.
School zone speed safety cameras are installed near the following schools and will be operational during the stated times:
Griffin High School from 6:40 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spalding High School from 6:40 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cowan Road Middle and Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Carver Road Middle and Moreland Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Kennedy Road Middle School from 7:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Rehoboth Road Middle School from 7:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Jackson Road Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Beaverbrook Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Jordan Hill Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Futural Road Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Atkinson Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“The new school zone speed safety camera program is an important component of our continual traffic safety efforts. Previous efforts to curb speeding in school zones have included public safety and awareness announcements, high intensity patrols, and focused traffic enforcement efforts. Unfortunately, these efforts have been met with only limited success. Deputies that patrol the school zones are often taken away from those duties to answer other calls for service as needed, as a result there are still speeding problems in school zones across the county. The cameras will not just help us enforce the speed limits; they will function as another way maximize the deployment of our deputies patrolling Spalding County.” said Sheriff Darrell Dix. “In order to be completely open and transparent, I want citizens to know that according to state law, any money that may be generated by the program must be dedicated to law enforcement public safety purposes and cannot be placed in the general fund of the county. Because of this, my commitment to you is to use any money that may be generated for local projects that make our kids, our community, and our citizens safer. For example, we have already agreed to partner with the Griffin Spalding County School system to enhance student and campus safety and security. We will support the Youth and adult programs we offer through the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office that raise public safety awareness, and we will provide programs, enhanced training, equipment, and resources for Deputies.”
Dix also addressed criticism he anticipates facing because of this safety initiative.
“We realize the school zone cameras are not popular and will face criticism, but they are not traps, they are all clearly marked and operated in accordance with state laws regarding the use of school zone speed detection devices. They are not a new thing, and they did not just pop up overnight. The last one in Spalding County was designated 9 years ago, so they have been around our schools for many years. Unfortunately, the speed limits have just have not been followed. When you follow the posted speed limit through any school zone in Spalding County it takes less than a minute to get from one end to the other. The same standard of accountability will apply to my Deputies as it will to any other motorists. If we speed through a school zone while not acting in our official compacity we will get citations and pay them, myself included,” Dix said. ““Hopefully, a different approach to the problem will slow folks down. The motoring public does have options regarding school zones. The easiest option is to just slow down for a few seconds when passing through. Another option is to stay away from the roads they cover during school hours. Either way, motorists slowing down or finding alternate routes, will accomplish the program’s goal of keeping kids safe.”
The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has contracted with Verra Mobility, which provides road safety programs for communities across the United States, to administer its safety program. Deputies will review all potential violations and will determine if any citations or warnings will be issued, not the program administrators.
If you have questions regarding the program, contact Major Jeff Eidson at the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office at 770.467.4282.
For additional information about Verra Mobility, please visit http://www.verramobility.com.
Please consider financially supporting The GRIP.
The news you find in The GRIP is free for all. You’ll never be hindered by a paywall or limited to only a few articles each month. That’s because knowledge CANNOT be a commodity available only to those with the ability to purchase it.
While the news will always be free for all, it is far from free to produce. That’s why The GRIP needs your support.
Your support will enable The GRIP to continue to provide relevant news in your community and beyond. It’s quick and painless. Just click this link: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16902623
All support will be greatly appreciated, whether a small one-time donation or recurring monthly gift.
Thank you!
