PERRY, Ga. — If you're speeding through one of Perry's school zones, you're likely going to get a ticket, but when are you in the clear from speed enforcement cameras?
school is in session, as we set out to Verify: Can you get a speeding ticket outside of the times listed on school zone signs? Our sources: the city of Perry's Police Chief Alan Everidge, and Georgia law.
Speed enforcement cameras are posted around several of Perry's school and while the city's police chief says they've only given out 3 tickets since they've been installed, some say there's still some confusion surrounding the enforcement.
“The average person coming down through here doesn't know the school zone is anything other than what's posted under where it says school zone," William Coleman said.
In Perry, speed enforcement cameras have been active since August.
William Coleman says he got a ticket near Mossy Creek Middle School for speeding, nine minutes after the sign says the school zone time was over.
"It was after 3:00 when I got my ticket, so I went to court to fight it and they told me it’s up to me to know the laws, that that has nothing to do with the school zone times," he said.
Georgia law tells drivers ticketing can be enforced for violations one hour before classes are scheduled to begin and the lower speed limit also applies for one hour after classes have concluded.
Perry says you'll get ticketed if you drive more than ten miles per hour over the speed limit.
Perry Police Chief Alan Everidge says while Georgia law conducts enforcement one way, they enforce in another.
"Now, in the City of Perry, we don't do it that way. We actually do it 30 minutes prior to school take in to 30 minutes after," Chief Alan Everidge said.
So, can you receive a speeding ticket outside the times listed on the school zone signs?
"Yes, you can. You can do it one hour before school takes in to one hour after the whole day. We just don't do that here in Perry," Everidge said.
If you're ever feel like speeding, Coleman says you may want to reconsider.
"Do the 25 miles per hour the whole time because you don't want to give Perry any more money than they already need or already getting," he told 13WMAZ.
Chief Everidge says if an officer writes you a ticket for the same offense, the ticket amount almost doubles.