School Zone Speed Camera Program will increase safety for all.
In August, the Lawrenceville Police Department will begin an automated traffic enforcement speed device program at six public schools within the city limits to increase safety for students, parents, educators, and anyone traveling through the school zones. The City Council approved the program in December 2021.
“Our research has shown positive results and reception in other communities across the state, as much as a 75% overall reduction of speeding in school zones,” said City Manager Chuck Warbington. “Utilizing speed cameras also allows police officers to be more productive in other areas of the City, while still enforcing the law for the safety of our children and educators.”
The School Zone Speed Camera Program combines a public information campaign along with a 30-day warning period to encourage motorists to slow down. The program includes new signage and flashing digital speed signs to warn oncoming traffic of school zone speed limits. Cameras will identify any vehicles traveling over the approved speed limit. Motorist in the designated school zone driving 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit will receive a citation by mail. For example, if the flashing light speed limit is 25 mph, a motorist will receive a ticket at 36 mph. Once the lights turn off, the speed limit may rise to 35 mph, and a motorist could be ticketed at 46 mph by an officer. Speed limits are posted within the school zone.
The initial 30-day warning period begins August 3, during which violators will receive a warning in the mail that carries no fine. After the warning period expires on September 5, violators will receive a citation in the mail. The fine is $75 (+$25 processing fee) for the first offense and $100 (+$25 processing fee) for each subsequent offense. Violations are civil fines and do not add points to the driver’s license. Unpaid violations are handled through the Department of Revenue by prohibiting the renewal of a car tag or sale of the vehicle, rather than a bench warrant. The system would only operate during school sessions, not on the weekends or on school holidays. Violations payments are accepted online at violationpayment.net and are not accepted by customer service at the City of Lawrenceville.
The automated speed zone will be enforced on school days starting one hour before and after school begins and one hour before and after the end of the school day.
School zones included are Benefield Elementary School, Central Gwinnett High School, Discovery High School, Lawrenceville Elementary School, Oakland Meadow School, and Winn Holt Elementary School. The City of Lawrenceville has worked with the administrators of each school to provide informational materials about the program for students, staff, and parents in both English and Spanish.
Programs of this kind are being implemented in cities throughout the state, including local cities such as Norcross, Duluth, Snellville, and Lilburn. Studies from the National Highway Safety Administration and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association consistently show programs of this nature reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities within school zones.
A speed study ordered by the Lawrenceville Police Department determined the City of Lawrenceville has an issue with speeding in all school zones, with the worst conditions at Central Gwinnett High School. Speeding vehicles are defined as any vehicle speeding in excess of 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. During the August 2020 speed study, the statistics are as follows:
- Lawrenceville Elementary (Gwinnett Dr.) – 74% AM & 89% PM of all drivers were 10+mph over the speed limit
- Benefield Elementary (Old Norcross Hwy) – 21% AM & 82% PM of all drivers were 10+mph over the speed limit
- Benefield Elementary (Riverside Dr.) – 46% AM & 64% PM of all drivers were 10+mph over the speed limit
- Winn Holt Elementary (Old Snellville Hwy.) – 54% AM & 58% PM of all drivers were 10+mph over the speed limit
- Central Gwinnett High School (W. Crogan St.) – 95% AM & 95% PM of all drivers were 10+mph over the speed limit
The Lawrenceville Police Department and the City of Lawrenceville are committed to safeguarding our children, parents, educators, and motorists with this innovative initiative. Please drive safely in our school zones and in our community. For additional information about the School Zone Speed Camera Program, visit lville.city/speed-cameras or follow both the City and the Police Department on social media.