Frustration Builds as Bipartisan Support Fizzles Under Lobby Pressure
Another year, another legislative session gone by—and once again, Georgia drivers are left fuming.
Despite bold promises, public outrage, and rare bipartisan support, lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly failed to pass two major bills that aimed to rein in school zone speed cameras. That’s the second year in a row the issue’s stalled, and now, frustrated drivers and advocates are stuck waiting till 2026.
Bills That Promised Relief Go Nowhere
At the center of the controversy are two bills: one pushing for a complete ban on automated speed cameras in school zones, and another aiming to reform how they operate.
The full ban, pushed hard by Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon), had major backing. Over 100 lawmakers signed on. The reform bill, filed by Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), would’ve kept the cameras in place but added basic safeguards like warning signs that flash drivers’ speeds before the ticket zone starts.
Two sentences were all it took to gut months of work. The Senate watered down Washburn’s ban by tacking on a three-year grace period, and Powell’s bill was revised into a weaker version that won’t take effect anytime soon.
Follow the Money—and the Frustration
You don’t have to squint to see why the bills died on the Senate floor. The private companies that run these cameras have spent big in Georgia politics.
In fact, they’ve dropped $728,500 in donations to various state political groups in recent years. That includes:
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$215,000 to the Georgia House Republican Trust
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$110,000 to the Georgia Republican Senatorial Committee
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$209,500 to Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’s committee and campaign
That kind of money talks. And it seems it talked louder than voters.
One sentence here, just to let it breathe.
Rep. Washburn didn’t mince words. “These camera companies have taken millions of dollars,” he said. “And they’ve hired very powerful lobbyists to keep it going.”
Real People, Real Problems
The issue isn’t just politics—it’s everyday people getting hit with tickets they feel are unfair.
FOX 5’s I-Team earlier exposed how drivers in three cities got cited even when the yellow flashing lights—meant to signal reduced school zone limits—weren’t turned on.
One of them, Ivan DeQuesada, said, “If that light had been flashing, I’m fairly confident I would have slowed down.”
James Murphy, another driver, was more direct: “They shouldn’t be raking in money from dozens of cars when there’s no blinking light.”
These aren’t rare cases either. Hundreds of similar complaints have poured in across the state. And it’s not just about the fine—it’s about trust.
A Look at the Current Law—and What Reform Would Change
So, what are the rules now? And what did lawmakers hope to fix? Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
| Aspect | Current Law | Proposed Reform (Powell’s Bill) |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Light Required? | Yes, but inconsistently enforced | Enforced and monitored |
| Visible Speed Feedback? | No | Mandatory digital speed display |
| Ticket Grace Period | None | 30-second buffer before ticket |
| Operating Hours | Vague | Clearly defined and publicized |
| Appeals Process | Complicated | Streamlined for drivers |
It’s not hard to see how these updates would’ve made the process fairer. But without action, the status quo stays.
Bipartisan Momentum, Stopped Cold
It’s rare these days to see Democrats and Republicans agree on much. But this issue had legs on both sides of the aisle.
Even early in the session, lawmakers from across the political spectrum were pushing for change. Parents, drivers, and advocates called for accountability, not just punishment.
But politics has a way of slowing things down. Or, in this case, stopping them completely.
Powell was blunt. “I think that this issue is serious enough that the public expects some changes to be made.”
Well, those changes won’t come this year. Maybe not next year either.
What Happens Next?
Short answer: nowhere fast. With the session closed, the earliest these bills could come up again is 2026. That’s a long wait for drivers still getting tickets from machines they say feel more like cash cows than safety tools.
There’s no guarantee the bills will be revived, either. Between heavy lobbying, donor pressure, and political infighting, reform is an uphill battle.
Powell, Washburn, and other supporters say they’re not giving up. But without fresh pressure from voters—or more investigative reporting—it’s hard to say if anything will really change.
Until then, drivers can only keep their eyes peeled and their wallets ready. Because those cameras? They’re not blinking.
