Ringgold’s new speed camera program is well into its second month of issuing fines for speeding in a school zone, and opinions are mixed on whether it’s a good idea.
This past fall, Ringgold police announced on social media that two cameras were placed in front of Ringgold Middle School on Highway 151 to monitor drivers in the school zone. Enforcement began Dec. 1, and police said violators will be mailed a citation if identified driving at least 11 mph over the 25-mph zone speed limit.
“We’re committed to safeguarding our kids with this innovative initiative,” police said in the announcement. “Please drive safely in our school zones and in our community.”
Even when the lights aren’t flashing, police said the regularly-posted speed limit will be photo enforced when school is in session and students are present. The police announcement cited a five-day traffic study that found 1,562 vehicles going at least 10 mph over the speed limit.
The infraction is a civil violation, police said, adding that violators will not receive points on their driver’s license, nor will it be reported to the driver’s insurance company. The first speeding fine is $100, and the second and all other violations are $125.
The same state law said nonpayment of the fine will prevent renewal of the vehicle’s registration and prohibit the transfer of the vehicle’s title in Georgia. Vehicle owners can appeal the fine if they weren’t the one driving or their vehicle was stolen when the infraction occurred, according to the state law.
Staff Photo by Andrew Wilkins / Automated traffic enforcement cameras, seen Wednesday, have been installed in front of Ringgold Middle School in Ringgold, Ga. The program was started to increase safety and slow speeders, officials say, but some Catoosa County residents are criticizing the program.Angela Pence said she thinks public officials have good intentions and are trying to protect the public with the automated enforcement program, but she said in a phone call that there should have been public debate before it was approved. An unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House’s 14 District in 2022, Pence was one of many Catoosa County residents debating the issue on social media.
“More research should have been done, and all of it laid out for the people,” the Chickamauga resident said. She said she has family in Ringgold, and the elective office she ran for included Ringgold. “If they (community members) support it, fantastic, but that may not be the case here.”
Several requests for comments about the program to Ringgold Mayor Nick Millwood and Ringgold Police Chief Jennifer Jones were not returned by deadline.
The city’s agreement with Blue Line Solutions of Chattanooga to run the program was approved unanimously by Ringgold City Council in September 2021 without discussion. A contract to run the program was signed later that month.
The cameras were already installed when Pence heard about the issue, and she said she follows county and city governments closely.
(READ MORE: Georgia may end Parkridge challenge of new Ringgold hospital)
She said she has concerns about the chance of malfunctioning speed detection machines and citations being tied to the vehicle — not who’s actually driving.
In a phone call, Kelly Abercrombie, vice president of operations for Blue Line Solutions, said his Chattanooga-based company is partnering with Ringgold on the automated traffic enforcement program. Founded in 2012, the company works with many governments across the nation and Georgia — but none in the Chattanooga area.
“We don’t divulge a lot of information because it’s the city and police’s programs,” Abercrombie said.
Statistics and testing schedules would have to be released by local governments, but he said testing is done by a third party.
Along with providing the equipment and citation processing, the company works with local governments to provide media to educate the public about traffic safety. Both enforcement and education are needed to change behavior, he said.
Staff Photo by Andrew Wilkins / Automated traffic enforcement cameras, seen Wednesday, have been installed in front of Ringgold Middle School in Ringgold, Ga. The program was started to increase safety and slow speeders, officials say, but some Catoosa County residents are criticizing the program.(READ MORE: New park for people with disabilities planned for Ringgold, Georgia)
A few streets over near Ringgold High School, James Reid said he supports the use of speed cameras in the area. Standing in his yard on Sparks Street by the high school, he said drivers often “blow through” the stop sign next to his property and often speed.
He said he’s seen many speeders by the middle school outside the time when the speed cameras are functioning. Though he’s comfortable with the speed cameras, Reid said installing speed bumps was another suggestion for slowing speeders.
Reid said he didn’t have any concerns regarding privacy.
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.