Gwinnett County, Georgia, is taking proactive steps to enhance student safety through its School Zone Safety Program. This initiative, spearheaded by the Gwinnett County Police Department, employs automated speed enforcement cameras to deter speeding in school zones, aiming to protect students during their commutes.
What Is the School Zone Safety Program?
Launched in November 2021, the School Zone Safety Program is designed to reduce speeding near schools by utilizing automated speed detection cameras. These cameras operate in accordance with Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-14-18), ensuring that motorists adhere to posted speed limits during school hours. The primary objective is to safeguard students, staff, and pedestrians in school zones.
How the Program Works
The speed enforcement cameras are active during specific times: one hour before the start of school, during school hours, and one hour after school ends. This schedule also applies during summer sessions when schools are in operation.
When a vehicle exceeds the speed limit in a monitored school zone, the camera captures an image of the vehicle, and a citation is issued to the registered owner. This automated process ensures consistent enforcement and encourages drivers to maintain safe speeds.
Expansion and Impact
Since its inception, the program has expanded significantly. Initially implemented at three schools, it grew to include four additional schools in the 2022–2023 academic year: Archer High School, Corley Elementary School, Collins Hill High School, and Lanier Middle School. By 2023, nine more schools were equipped with speed detection cameras, reflecting the county's commitment to student safety.
The effectiveness of the program is evident, with a reported 95% reduction in speeding violations in the monitored school zones. This significant decrease underscores the program's success in promoting safer driving behaviors around schools.
Community Involvement and Compliance
The Gwinnett County Police Department emphasizes that the goal of the School Zone Safety Program is compliance, not revenue generation. By raising awareness and enforcing speed limits, the program seeks to create a safer environment for students.
Motorists are encouraged to stay informed about school zone locations and speed limits. For more information on the program and a list of monitored school zones, visit the official Gwinnett County School Zone Safety Program page.
By integrating technology and community engagement, Gwinnett County's School Zone Safety Program serves as a model for enhancing student safety and promoting responsible driving behaviors.
Gwinnett County's School Zone Safety Program has been instrumental in enhancing the safety of students by implementing automated speed enforcement cameras in various school zones.These cameras are strategically placed based on speed studies, accident data, and community feedback to deter speeding and protect pedestrians.
Below is a table listing the schools currently equipped with speed enforcement cameras, along with their respective speed limits and enforcement times:
| SCHOOL ZONE | CAMERA TIMES | AM FLASHING LIGHT TIMES SPEED LIMIT |
PM FLASHING LIGHT TIMES
SPEED LIMIT
|
SPEED LIMIT
WHEN LIGHT IS OFF
|
| Anderson-Livesey Elementary | 7:15AM - 3:45PM | 7:30AM – 8:30AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 3:30PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| Archer High School (New Hope) |
6:15AM - 3:10PM | 6:25AM - 7:25AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
1:55PM – 2:55PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| Archer High School (Callie Still) |
6:15AM - 3:10PM | 6:25AM - 7:25AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
1:55PM – 2:55PM 35 MPH |
40 MPH |
| Brookwood High School (Dogwood Rd.) |
6:20AM – 3:10PM | 6:35AM – 7:35AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
1:55PM – 2:55PM 25 MPH |
35 MPH |
| Brookwood High School (Holly Brook Rd.) |
6:20AM – 3:10PM | 6:35AM – 7:35AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
1:55PM – 2:55PM 25 MPH |
35 MPH |
| Corley Elementary School | 7:50AM - 4:20PM | 8:05AM – 8:35AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
3:05PM – 3:35PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| Duncan Creek Elementary School | 7:50AM - 4:20PM | 8:05AM – 9:05AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
3:05PM – 4:05PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| Graves Elementary School |
7:15AM - 3:45PM |
7:30AM – 8:30AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 3:30PM 25 MPH |
35 MPH |
| Jackson Elementary School |
7:15AM - 3:45PM |
7:30AM – 8:30AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 3:30PM 25 MPH |
40 MPH |
| Lanier Middle School (Buford Dam) |
7:15am - 5:00pm |
7:30AM – 9:30AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 4:30PM 25 MPH |
35 MPH |
| Lanier Middle School (Suwanee Dam) |
7:15AM - 5:00PM |
7:30AM – 9:30AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 4:30PM 25 MPH |
45 MPH |
| Meadowcreek High School | 6:10AM – 3:10PM | 6:15AM – 7:15AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
1:55PM – 2:55PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| North Gwinnett Middle School | 7:55AM—5:00PM | 8:35AM – 9:35AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
3:45PM – 4:45PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| Richards Middle School | 7:55AM – 5:00PM | 8:35AM – 9:35AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
3:30PM – 4:40PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| Starling Elementary School | 7:15AM – 3:45PM | 7:30AM – 8:30AM 35 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 3:30PM 35 MPH |
45 MPH |
| White Oak Elementary (Buford Dam) |
7:15AM - 5:00PM | 7:30AM – 9:30AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 4:30PM 25 MPH |
35 MPH |
| White Oak Elementary School (Suwanee Dam) |
7:15AM - 5:00PM | 7:30AM – 9:30AM 25 MILES PER HOUR |
2:30PM – 4:30PM 25 MPH |
45 MPH |
Note: Enforcement hours and speed limits are based on available data and may vary. Drivers should always observe posted signs and flashing lights indicating active school zones.
By staying informed and adhering to posted speed limits, drivers contribute to a safer environment for students and the broader community.