Bibb Sheriff halts school zone camera citations amid legislative debate

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will no longer approve citations issued by school zone speed cameras, Sheriff David Davis announced Wednesday, citing ongoing debate and pending legislation in the Georgia General Assembly.

UPDATE (3/20/25): We reached out to the sheriff’s office after receiving inquiries about citations issued prior to the sheriff’s announcement on Wednesday. This was the response:

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will no longer approve citations issued by school zone speed cameras, Sheriff David Davis announced Wednesday, citing ongoing debate and pending legislation in the Georgia General Assembly.

“Effective immediately, no citation that has been issued by these school zone cameras will be approved by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office,” Davis said in a Facebook video. “We should allow the legislative process to move through the necessary steps to bring clarity to the laws governing these camera operations.”

The decision comes as state lawmakers consider two bills that could alter or eliminate the use of automated speed enforcement in school zones. House Bill 225, introduced by Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon), seeks to ban the cameras statewide. Another bill, sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), would limit enforcement hours and require that half of fine revenue go toward school safety.

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller previously announced on March 17 that the county would scale back camera enforcement to school arrival and dismissal times unless the legislature dictates otherwise. Miller has defended the cameras as legal and constitutional, saying they operate within the limits set by state law.

“I intend to proceed with limited camera operation during arrival and dismissal times only, unless the legislature dictates otherwise,” Miller wrote in a Facebook post earlier this week.

Washburn, who has been vocal in his opposition, argues the cameras are being used as a revenue-generating tool rather than a safety measure.

“These camera companies know if they can show a local government how they can rake a lot of money in, then they of course are making money in the process,” he said in a previous interview with 41NBC. “I believe our system is being abused, and I think something needs to be done about it.”

Washburn’s bill passed the Georgia House with 100 cosigners and awaits consideration in the Senate.

Macon-Bibb County and other Middle Georgia communities have used school zone speed cameras for several years, citing student safety as the primary reason. Under current regulations, cameras operate on school days from one hour before school begins until one hour after dismissal. Citations are issued only when a driver exceeds the speed limit by at least 11 mph.

Davis urged drivers to continue following posted speed limits, despite the suspension of camera citations.

“In the meantime, please drive carefully, and please obey the speed limits in the school zones,” he said.