Dunwoody is set to implement speed detection cameras in three school zones this year.
The City Council on Monday unanimously approved a contract with RedSpeed, a company that installs cameras that automatically flag drivers going more than 10 mph over the speed limit.
RedSpeed will install the cameras for free, but will take a 35% cut of ticket revenues. Tickets start at $75 and go up to $125 for repeat offenders.
They are set to be installed in school zones along Roberts Drive (Austin Elementary School), Womack Road (Dunwoody High School) and N. Peachtree Road (Chesnut Elementary School and Peachtree Middle School).
Before they are implemented, a permit must be signed off on by the DeKalb County School District and approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation.
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One day earlier this year, the police department conducted a traffic study that analyzed speeders in those areas. Officers identified about 2,320 drivers going more than 10 mph over the speed limit.
“We get many, many calls related to speeding in our school zones,” Dunwoody police Chief Billy Grogan said Monday.
The cameras will automatically clock speeders during weekdays, from one hour before school starts until one hour after school lets out, Grogan said. A police officer then reviews the tape and approves a ticket, which is mailed to the address associated with the speeder’s car.
RedSpeed has contracted with other cities, including Brookhaven, Norcross, Lilburn and Duluth.
The company will post warning signs on each end of the school zone. Drivers will receive only warnings for the first 30 days. Grogan said he hopes to have the cameras installed some time this year.
The devices also have technology built in that automatically reads the license plates of cars passing by, with the data accessible to the police department.
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