Frequently Asked Questions
  • What is the School Zone Camera Safety Program?

  • GA House Bill 978 is a Georgia law that was approved by the GeorgiaLegislature and signed by Governor Brian Kemp and became effective on July 1st, 2018. Under this law, GA 40-14-18, the use of cameras is authorizedto enforce speeding violations throughout the school day. The Columbus PoliceDepartment will implement the school camera safety program for the 2024 - 2025school year and beyond.

  • Is the Columbus Police Department the only law enforcement agency operating school cameras in Columbus/Muscogee County?

  • No, the Columbus Police Department is responsible for public schools within the Muscogee County School District only. The Muscogee County Sheriff's Office is responsible for any private schools in Columbus/Muscogee County.

    The Muscogee County School District Police Department are not responsible for any school zone cameras.

    Please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for any questions concerning a specific school zone camera.

  • What does “photo enforced” mean?

  • Photographic evidence will be used to issue a Notice of Violation to the registered owner of a vehicle. The vehicle must exceed the posted speed limit by more than ten (10) mph. The Notice of Violation will include the date, time, location, and photographic evidence of the violation.

  • When and where is photo enforcement used?

  • The camera enforcement system will be active during the entirety of the school day session. The exact times vary depending on the individual school schedule. The speed enforcement allowable time periods are as follows:

    • One hour before to the start of a regularly scheduled breakfast program.
    • One hour before to the start of a regularly scheduled school session.
    • During the entirety of a regularly scheduled school session or breakfast program; and
    • One hour after the end of a regularly scheduled school session or breakfast program.
  • Which School Zones are being camera enforced in the Muscogee County School District?

  • For a list of school zones, visit: https://www.columbusga.gov/police/School-Zone-Safety-Program/Locations

  • What are the benefits of photo enforcement?
    • Increases safety of children and staff in school zones by deterring speeding.
    • Encourages drivers to adhere to posted speed limits.
    • Mitigates risks associated with speeding where children are present.
  • What data are the cameras capturing and is that information secure?

  • Camera enforcement systems are set to capture data specified by the Columbus Police Department within local, state, and federal guidelines. This data will include the date and time of the violation, the location of the infraction, the maximum speed at which such motor vehicle was traveling in the photographically recorded images, the maximum speed applicable within such school zone and a recorded image of the vehicle involved in the infraction.

    All data is encrypted and transmitted to a secure central server, where it is digitally signed to prevent interception and manipulation, ensuring top-level protection for the chain of custody. Original images and data are securely stored in a data vault.

  • How much does the photo enforcement program cost taxpayers?

  • The photo enforcement system is entirely funded by paid violations.

  • Who issues the Notice of Violation?

  • A law enforcement agency authorized to enforce the speed limit of a school zone, or an agent working on behalf of a law enforcement agency or governing body, in the case of the MCSD Public Schools, the Columbus Police Department. 

  • What are my options if I receive a notice of violation?

  • There are two options offered to the registered owner of the vehicle:

    1. Pay the fine within 30 days from the date of issuance.
    2. Request a hearing within 30 days of the date of issuance.
      • All options will be included in the Notice of Violation sent to the registered owner.
  • What will happen if I don’t pay the fine?

  • If the violation is not paid, you will be issued a second notice. The second notice will give you another 30 days to either pay the fine or contest the citation. If a response is not received after the second notice, a third and final notice will be sent. The third notice will allow 30 more days to pay the fine or contest the citation. If after the final notice is sent and no response is received, the information on the vehicle is sent to the Department of Revenue and a hold is placed on the registration and title. The hold will prevent the vehicle registration from being renewed and shall prohibit the title transfer of such vehicle within this state. At this point, the registered owner can no longer contest the citation and all fines and penalties must be paid before the hold can be removed.

  • Will paying a Notice of Violation affect my insurance or driver’s license?

  • No. A Notice of Violation is a civil penalty and does not affect your driving privileges or insurance. However, there are other consequences if the citation is not paid.

  • What happens if I am the registered owner but someone else was driving the motor vehicle?

  • The registered owner of the vehicle involved in the violation is responsible and liable for paying the Notice of Violation. Such an inference may be rebutted if the owner of the vehicle: 

    • Testifies under oath in open court or submits to the court a sworn notarized statement that he or she was not the operator of the motor vehicle at the time of the alleged violation.
    • Presents to the court a certified copy of a police report showing that the vehicle had been reported to the police as stolen prior to the time of the alleged violation. 
  • How can I pay a notice of violation?

  • Via internet:
    https://secure.speedviolation.com/

    Via Mail: