News Summary
New Orleans has suspended the operation of speed cameras in school zones until legal compliance requirements are met. The city aims to establish necessary agreements with local school officials while ensuring student safety during the return to classes. City officials acknowledge previous violations regarding ticket issuance and stress the need to adhere to speed limits. Meanwhile, the NOPD will still enforce speeding laws. The adjustments reflect a broader examination of traffic management, safety protocols, and financial distributions related to traffic enforcement measures.
New Orleans has announced that speed cameras in school zones will remain inactive until the city meets mandatory legal compliance requirements. This suspension of speed camera operations comes as students return to classes throughout Orleans Parish, highlighting safety concerns for young pedestrians in school zones.
Effective August 1, the automated speed camera systems will not issue any speeding tickets. This decision aligns with a newly enacted state law that requires the city to establish “cooperative endeavor agreements” (CEAs) with local school officials before being permitted to operate speed cameras and collect associated fines.
City officials acknowledged that they had previously violated state law by issuing fines through speed cameras without the necessary agreements in place. As such, they emphasized the importance of obeying speed limits in school zones during this interim period to protect student safety.
While some school zone beacons remain operational, others are currently in need of upgrades that will be funded by the Department of Public Works. City officials are yet to provide an expected timeline for the reactivation of the speed cameras.
Despite the deactivation of the speed cameras, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is still authorized to issue speeding tickets in school zones. This allows for continued enforcement of traffic laws, ensuring that safety remains a priority for students and their families.
City officials also recognized that the speed cameras had previously generated significant fines, which have been placed in escrow while the city awaits the finalization of revenue-sharing agreements. Recent legislative changes have raised concerns among school board members about the percentage allocation of fines and the timely payment processes from the city to local schools.
Although the speed cameras are inactive, red-light cameras throughout the city will continue to function as normal. The transition to the new legal compliance requirements and infrastructure upgrades has introduced various challenges, both legally and operationally, impacting both city officials and school board members.
Moreover, discussions are ongoing regarding the distribution of revenue collected from speeding fines between public and private schools. This aspect is crucial as it relates to local school funding and the financial implications of traffic enforcement measures.
Furthermore, recent reports indicated that speed cameras in certain areas of the city may face permanent shutdowns, an action that stems from the broader implications of traffic enforcement legislation and local school funding strategies.
The adjustments regarding the status of speed cameras are part of a wider set of state legislative efforts emphasizing traffic management and compliance issues, which have had a direct impact on school safety protocols and financial arrangements within the community.
The deactivation of speed cameras highlights the ongoing need for collaboration between city officials, the school board, and the community to ensure safe road conditions for children. As New Orleans navigates these changes, the importance of adhering to speed limits and prioritizing school zone regulations will be vital in the coming months.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Orleans to Halt Speeding Tickets from Automated Cameras
Louisiana State Police Establish Permanent Video Footage Fees
Manhunt Underway for Escaped Inmates in New Orleans
Escapees Still on the Loose After New Orleans Jailbreak
New Orleans: Two Inmates Captured After Jailbreak
Jailbreak in New Orleans Leads to Manhunt for Escapees
Inmates Extradited Back to Louisiana After Escape
Waymo Opens New Factory in Arizona for Autonomous Vehicle Production
NHTSA Investigates Transmission Woes in Ford F-150 Trucks
New Orleans Enhances Student Safety with New School Zone Beacons
Additional Resources
- WDSU: New Orleans School Zone Cameras Tickets
- Wikipedia: Traffic Safety
- NOLA: Speed Cameras Turned Off in New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans traffic camera regulations
- WWLTV: New Orleans School Zone Cameras Deactivated
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Law
- Fox8: New Orleans Stops Issuing Speeding Tickets via Cameras
- Google News: New Orleans school zone safety
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
