Drivers in Georgia were stunned to receive a barrage of incorrect speeding tickets in the mail. Speed cameras located near a school were at the heart of the issue, as they were not properly synchronized with the school’s reduced speed hours.
Ann Owens, a local resident, expressed her frustration after receiving multiple erroneous tickets. She had been driving within the speed limit of 35 mph, but the cameras captured her traveling at 36 and 38 mph, resulting in tickets up to $130.
According to local officials, the speed cameras were not properly aligned with the reduced speed clocks, which operate between 7:30 to 9:05 am and again from 2:35 to 4:15 pm. This error led to around 5,600 incorrect tickets being issued, totaling over $500,000 in fines.
The issue has raised concerns among community members and public officials. Riverdale Police Chief Todd Spivey acknowledged the impact on public trust and questioned the value of the speed cameras if they were not operating accurately.
This is not the first time the community has faced problems with speed cameras. Residents in nearby Jonesboro received refunds of $76,400 after a speeding camera was improperly synced. Chief Spivey indicated that his office is working on a refunding program for drivers who paid the incorrect fines.
Despite the errors, Owens emphasized the importance of enforcing speed limits for the safety of children. However, she added, “If it’s not accurate, then it’s misinforming them.” The debate over the use of speed cameras and their reliability continues as officials work to address the issue.
