School Safety
Speed-monitoring cameras in school zones explained At the April 27, 2020 City Council Meeting; the Mayor and Council adopted a resolution authorizing speed-monitoring cameras erected in the school zones at South Gwinnett High School, Snellville Middle School and Britt Elementary School. Mayor and Council adopted the resolution after a study and survey into the speeds and accidents in the respective school zones. Snellville followed the lead of the other cities in Gwinnett County which studied the need for public safety improvements to keep children attending schools safe. Based on accidents, injuries and the ability to avoid injuries, Mayor and Council approved this initiative. It is an additional protective measure similar to the cameras installed on school buses to stem the danger created by passing stopped buses in an effort to keep students safe. After an introductory warning period beginning Jan. 6, the city began issuing civil citations on Feb. 7. The State Legislature passed “House Bill 978 and codified as OCGA 4014-18 allowing for enforcement of speed limits in school zones by recorded images.” Enforcement is authorized for speeding 11 mph over the posted speed limit beginning one hour before classes start and ending one hour after each school lets out. GADOT and Gwinnett County Schools studied our application prior to permit approval for camera installation. Warning signs indicating Photo Speed Enforcement is implemented are placed as required and authorized by GADOT before entering each school zone. Yellow flashing lights are not required for enforcement. These lights reduce speed when flashing at the Middle and Elementary Schools to 25 mph, but the speed remains a constant 35 mph on US 78, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Speed limits revert to the normal posted limit of 30 mph after the flashing lights end and violations begin at 11 mph over those posted limits when not reduced. Citations are only issued according to the hours and attendance requirements authorized.
^^^ Signs alert drivers to speed-enforcement cameras.
^^^ The camera in front of South Gwinnett High School.
^^^ The camera in front of Snellville Middle School.
If stopped by an officer when the lights are flashing, the fine is triple the civil fine and points are asssed against a license at a minimum of two points and up depending on speed. The civil fine for a first offense on the speed camera is $80 and no points are assessed. The speed camera citations are only issued on days when students are physically present. Citations are not issued on digital learning days, holidays, teacher planning days and other absences. The city issued press releases and social media posts prior to the installation of these systems. Again, no fines are assessed for vehicles traveling 10 mph or less over the posted speed limit. Please keep the safety of our young people in mind as you traverse school zones.
^^^ The camera in front of Britt Elementary School. 29 29
