Turning 30 comes with its share of surprises, but nothing quite prepares you for the “surprise” I got when renewing my vehicle tags. Not only did I get slapped with the usual fees, but I also found out that one of my cars had a school zone infraction I didn’t even know about. Even worse, my tag was placed on hold. Yes, folks, my birthday gift from the DMV was a “you can’t drive anywhere” tag on hold til you pay up.
I get it, speeding in school zones is a no go. But, according to the fine I received from some third party company, this happened outside of school hours. Really? And they still hit me with an $80 fine! Now, I’m not saying we should all start flying through school zones, but let’s take a second to talk about how this whole system works and why you should be a bit concerned.
How the Camera System Works
School zone speed cameras are automated systems that track the speed of vehicles during designated “school hours”. If a car is caught going over the speed limit, the camera captures a photo of the vehicle’s license plate, which is then used to issue a ticket to the registered owner. This process is handled by third party companies, and the ticket is sent through regular mail. If the fine isn’t paid, the system flags the vehicle’s tag, placing a hold on registration renewal until the balance is cleared.
The Pros of School Zone Cameras
- Safety First: These cameras are supposed to keep kids safe, which is great. No one wants to be the person who endangers children by speeding.
- Less Work for Police: Automated cameras free up officers to focus on bigger issues rather than hanging around school zones with speed guns.
The Cons (And Why I’m Angry)
- Automated Injustice: These systems are often run by third party companies. There’s no human element to judge the situation. You’re caught, fined, and that’s it. Even if you’re doing everything right (like driving after school hours), you’re still stuck with a fine. Ive tried an appeal but apparently its not a quick process. My suggestion would be to take care of this early and not wait last minute like I did.
- Tag Holds Ruin Everything: Like me, many people find out about these tickets when they try to renew their tags. No notice, no clue. But guess what? If you don’t pay, your car isn’t going anywhere.
- Errors Galore: Several investigations have found these cameras handing out incorrect tickets, meaning people are paying fines for infractions they didn’t commit.
Why You Should Care
At the end of the day, this system is supposed to keep kids safe, but it’s got some serious flaws. So, if you want to avoid any birthday “surprises” like mine, it’s best to do your research, keep an eye on those cameras, and be careful near school zones. Trust me, it’s not worth the headache or the $80!!
