Speed cameras will go live at Macon’s Stratford Academy. Here’s what drivers need to know
Speed cameras have been installed at Stratford Academy, a private school in Macon, and will go live on Monday, Feb. 5.
Drivers initially will be issued a warning in the new speed zone. Tickets will be issued to those in violation beginning March 6.
Mayor Lester Miller said the camera installation is a great way to change people’s behavior and ensure the safety of local school children.
“This is great that more schools are eager to help protect the safety of our children by making sure posted speed limits are followed during the school day,” he said. “This is about changing people’s behavior, and if you have driven through a school zone the past few months, you’ve definitely seen people slowing down.”
Stratford Academy, located at 6010 Peake Road, is the oldest K-12 preparatory school in Middle Georgia and opened in 1960. It consistently ranks high in academic placement, according to its website.
Speed limit cameras are currently issuing warnings for Carter Elementary, First Presbyterian Day School, Hartley Elementary, Heard Elementary, Springdale Elementary, and Windsor Academy. Tickets for these six zones will begin Feb. 5.
School zones where cameras are enforcing the speed limit with tickets include Northeast High and Appling Middle, Rutland Middle and High, Weaver Middle, Westside High, Ballard-Hudson Middle and Ingram-Pye Elementary, and Southwest High.
Miller said the goal is to have speed limit cameras posted at every private and public school in the community.
“With the camera enforcement, we are able to begin changing people’s behavior, improve everyone’s safety in these areas, and allow our deputies to focus on other issues,” he said.
“Our administration has been focused on improving public safety at all levels because our community said it was their top priority,” Miller said.
Information was not immediately available on how much the city is spending on the speed camera program or where the money is coming from.
How the speed cameras work
The cameras actively enforce the speed limit on school days when classes are in session from one hour before the start of school until one hour after dismissal.
The flashing lights in a school zone indicate the reduced limit around the beginning and end of school. However, the cameras enforce both the reduced speed limit and the regular speed limit in the middle of the day.
Citations using the cameras will only be issued when a vehicle travels within a school zone more than 10 mph of the posted speed limit.
Citations for violations will be received via mail.
The first citation will be $100, and each subsequent citation will be $150. Money collected from these fines will be used solely to fund local law enforcement or public safety initiatives.
Those wishing to go to court in lieu of paying the citation may do so.
All citations are reviewed by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office to ensure its compliance with Macon-Bibb’s Traffic Code.
