School zone speeders on U.S. 29 in Madison County will begin receiving tickets at the end of this month.
Last summer, Madison County Supervisors approved an ordinance and contract with Blue Line Solutions (BLS) to install and operate speed cameras in the school zone on U.S. 29 adjacent to Madison County High School. State code allows for speed enforcement via camera in construction and school zones. The ordinance creates a civil process for violations of the cameras, a requirement for localities utilizing the technology. No one spoke during a public hearing on the ordinance.
According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, speeding in the high school zone on U.S. 29 has long been an issue. A study conducted in October 2024 found 7,915 drivers passed through the zone weekly with 2,425 of them speeding. Of the speeders, 1,228 were traveling 11-14 MPH over the posted speed limit, 762 were exceeding the limit by 15-20 MPH and 435 were exceeding the limit by 21 or more MPH.
“Speeding in school zones creates a serious danger for students, staff, parents and the public,” the office said via a release. “National data shows a child struck by a vehicle traveling 40 MPH has only a one in 10 chance of survival while at 20 MPH that survival rate increased to nine in 10.”
As part of the speed camera program, cameras capture the license plate images of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by at least 10 mph. Those images are then verified by a sworn officer at BLS and sent to a Madison County Sheriff’s Office for verification. Once a deputy approves the violation, it is then sent back to BLS which sends out a summons to the vehicle’s owner utilizing DMV information. When the $100 civil penalty fine is paid, $75 goes to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to use for highway safety and $25 is retained by BLS to recoup costs associated with installing and maintaining the equipment. The county does not pay to purchase, install or maintain the equipment. Violations are not reported to insurance.
Phase I of the program has begun and consists of a 30-day warning period. During this time, violators will receive a mailed warning notice. The notice does not include a fine or penalty. Live enforcement of the program, Phase II, will begin April 29. After that date, violators will receive the $100 mailed civil citation.
Photo enforcement cameras are only active when school is in session, children are present and the school zone beacons are flashing, approximately 7:45-8:15 a.m. and 2:45-3:15 p.m Monday-Friday.
“The goal of this program is to improve safety and reduce speeding in school zones,” the sheriff’s office said via a release.
School zones are marked with speed limit signs, flashing beacons and advance warning signs.
