Canton, GA – Starting Monday, October 4, 2021, The City of Canton Police Department will be utilizing speed detection devices to enforce the speed limit at Cherokee High School, located at 930 Marietta Hwy. The enforcement will be conducted using automated school zone cameras that were installed this summer. Automated enforcement began last year at Hasty Elementary, and Teasley Middle School is in the process of being scheduled for the same program.
The program was instituted after a nationwide spike in pedestrian fatalities over the past decade in which Georgia became one of the 5 deadliest states for pedestrians, with the seventh-highest fatality rate. Also, The Canton Police Department conducted speed studies within all of its school zones, which produced over 3,000 speeding violations in a single day. Automated Enforcement is endorsed as a safety tool by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Safety Council. Chief Stephen Merrifield hopes the cameras will reverse dangerous safety trends and encourage drivers to slow down.
"We are hopeful that Automated Enforcement will encourage drivers to slow down and obey the law,” Chief Merrifield said. “Traffic fatalities are the number one cause of death for children aged 5-14 and for young adults (aged 15-29). Very minimal reductions in speed make the roads a lot safer, especially for children.”
Numerous publications have documented how slower speeds can save lives. One definitive study (link) by the AAA Foundation found that children and young adults have less than a 10% risk of serious injury or death in an accident at 15 mph, but the risks climbed substantially with each 5 mph increment. At 35 miles per hour, the risk of severe injury or death is greater than 50%.
The Canton program will target the most egregious speeders exceeding more than eleven (11+) miles per hour over the posted school zone speed limit in school zones. The cameras will operate from one hour before school begins until one hour after school ends, only on school days. A sworn officer reviews and approves each violation before a citation is issued. A thirty-day warning period is in effect before any citations are issued. Residents with questions may call the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Question: Why are Speed Zone Cameras being installed?
Answer: Over the past ten years, there has been a nationwide spike in pedestrian fatalities due to a combination of speeding and distracted driving. Communities are turning to automated enforcement as a means of encouraging them to follow speed limits and pay attention. Automated Enforcement is endorsed as a safety tool by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Safety Council.
Slower driving saves lives. A person is about 70% more likely to be killed if they are struck by a vehicle traveling 30mph versus 25 mph. There is a 93% chance of survival if a pedestrian is struck at 20mph. Small differences in speed make a huge difference, especially in school zones.
Question: What are the hours of enforcement?
Answer: Currently, Hasty Elementary and Cherokee High School are the only school zones utilizing the speed enforcement program. There are three roads on which enforcement will occur: Marietta Hwy, Cumming Hwy and Brown Industrial Blvd. The hours of enforcement are:
Cherokee High School Zone
Marietta Hwy / Hwy 140
7:35 AM -7:59 AM - 45 MPH -The posted speed limit
8:00 AM -9:00 AM - 35 MPH - The posted school zone speed limit
9:01 AM -2:59 PM - 45 MPH - The posted speed limit
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - 35 MPH - The posted school zone speed limit
4:01 PM - 4:30 PM - 45 MPH - The posted speed limit
Hasty Elementary School Zone
Cumming Hwy
6:35 AM -6:59 AM - 40 MPH -The posted speed limit
7:00 AM -7:59 AM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
8:00 AM -1:44 PM - 40 MPH -The posted speed limit
1:45 PM -2:44 PM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
2:45 PM -3:15 PM - 40 MPH -The posted speed limit
Hasty Elementary School Zone
Brown Industrial Blvd
6:35 AM -6:59 AM - 35 MPH -The posted speed limit
7:00 AM -7:59 AM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
8:00 AM -1:44 PM - 35 MPH -The posted speed limit
1:45 PM -2:44 PM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
2:45 PM -3:15 PM - 35 MPH -The posted speed limit
(11+) MPH over the speed limit will be enforced in the school zones.
Question: My area school has a lot of speeders. How can I request a system?
Answer: Speed Enforcement Programs are selected by the Police Department and local schools after a traffic study is performed to assess road conditions and excessive speeding concerns. Requests can be sent directly to the Police Department at 770-720-4883.
Question: How will I know where the cameras are?
Answer: The Police Department will be putting in new signage that is clearly visible, warning drivers the speeds are enforced by cameras. Additionally, the Police Department will provide a 30-day warning period during which time drivers will get accustomed to the new signs, and the registered owner will receive Warning Notices in the mail.
Question: I received a Warning Notice. What do I do?
Answer: Warning Notices are courtesy notices extended by the Police Department, in addition to new clearly visible signs, to put drivers on notice of stepped-up enforcement in school zones. If you received a Warning Notice, no further action is required. All drivers are encouraged to obey speed laws.
Question: What are the criteria for receiving a speeding ticket?
Answer: According to state law, automated school zone tickets are issued to drivers exceeding more than ten (10+) miles per hour over the speed limit. The Canton Police Department program will use eleven (11+) miles per hour over the speed limit.
Question: How much is the fine?
Answer: The first violation is $75 and $125 for subsequent violations. Payments are due by the “Pay By” date listed on the citation.
Question: Can I view my violation?
Answer: Yes. Login to https://secure.speedviolation.com and enter your citation number. You will be able to view photos and video of the violation.
Question: What hours do the cameras operate?
Question: I received a School Zone Speed Ticket. How do I pay for it?
Answer: You may mail a check or money order to the address printed on the citation and pre-printed return envelope.
For faster credit card payments, you may pay securely online at https://secure.speedviolation.com. Electronic payments post the same day, and you can receive a confirmation by e-mail.
For PAYMENT BY PHONE: Call 833-917-7333, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Answer: Citations are civil offenses, not criminal infractions. No points are assessed on your driving record for automated enforcement violations. However, fines do escalate for repeat offenders.
Question: How do the Cameras work? Are they accurate?
Answer: The enforcement program utilizes state-of-the-art multi-dimensional radar that tracks and monitors up to 350 cars simultaneously. Radar is accurate within .1 miles per hour. Detailed maintenance and testing logs are maintained at all times. No tickets are issued within any possible margin of error.
Question: What happens to ticket revenue?
Answer: According to state law, paid citation revenue must be utilized for public safety initiatives.
Question: What is the Georgia law pertaining to the enforcement?
Answer: GA Code § 40-14-18
