GEORGIA, USA — Most Central Georgia schools are out of session for the summer break, but many of us still drive through school zones with speed cameras.
Verify: Will speeding cameras in school zones remain on during the summer break?
Sources: Georgia state law, City of Milledgeville, Macon-Bibb County, Houston County Sheriff's Office, the Warner Robins Police Department and the school districts of Baldwin, Bibb and Houston counties.
Georgia state law (40-14-18) states school zone cameras are only supposed to operate when schools are in session, for an hour before and after drop-off and dismissal times.
In Bibb County, some summer programs are happening, but "the cameras should not be on for the summer at all," according to Stephanie Hartley from the Bibb school district.
Summer school is happening in Baldwin County. According to Eric Jones from the Baldwin school district, it starts next week at Midway Halls Academy from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. every weekday.
Milledgeville City Manager Hank Griffeth said "a telling statistic" that proves the cameras work is that there were 538 speed violations during 15 consecutive days of school when the cameras were active.
In Houston County, the sheriff's office runs the cameras at Eagle Springs Elementary from 8:15 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday from June 3 through the 20, excluding the Juneteenth holiday, according to Capt. Clay Chambers.
Warner Robins Police is running the cameras at the schools hosting summer classes in its city during the adjusted summer schedule times, according to Lt. Eric Gossman.
None of the cameras at these schools in Perry will run during the summer; they will re-activate in the fall, according to Police Chief Alan Everidge:
- Tucker Elementary
- Morningside Elementary
- Matt Arthur Elementary
- Perry Middle
- Mossy Creek Middle
- Perry High
Houston County schools hosting summer classes from June 3 through 20 are:
- David Perdue Elementary
- Eagle Springs Elementary
- Miller Elementary
- Morningside Elementary
- Pearl Stephens Elementary
- Hilltop Elementary
- Thomson Middle
Houston County schools hosting summer classes from June 3 through 28 are:
- Feagin Mill Middle
- Huntington Middle
- Perry Middle
- Northside High
- Perry High
A summer enhancement camp is held at Mossy Creek Middle from June 3 through 14, according to Jennifer Jones from the Houston school district.
Answer: Speed cameras in school zones should not be active when schools are not in session, however schools hosting summer classes will stay on during adjusted times.