News Summary
New Orleans has announced a halt to speeding tickets issued via speed cameras, except in designated school zones, following new state legislation. Many school zones are not compliant with updated regulations, causing the suspension. However, red-light cameras will continue to issue tickets as normal. City officials stress the importance of obeying traffic laws, particularly near schools. The Department of Public Works is working on upgrading school zone beacons to meet compliance standards. Residents are reminded to adhere to speed limits for community safety.
New Orleans has announced that starting August 1, speeding tickets will no longer be issued via speed cameras at city locations, with the exception of certain school zones. This change follows a new state law aimed at regulating the use of speed enforcement cameras.
The recent state legislation restricts speed enforcement cameras to designated school zones that meet specific compliance standards. Currently, many school zones in New Orleans are not yet updated to fulfill these new legal requirements, leading to the temporary pause in issuing speed camera citations.
City officials have reiterated the importance of adhering to posted speed limits and traffic laws, especially in areas near schools and intersections. They have highlighted that speeding poses significant risks to public safety, particularly for children and pedestrians.
While the temporary suspension of speed camera citations is in effect, red-light cameras will continue to operate throughout New Orleans, and violations captured by these cameras will still result in tickets being issued.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is tasked with maintaining school zone beacons, which operate independently of the speed cameras. While some of these beacons are currently functional, others require upgrades to meet the new compliance standards. DPW has secured funding for the replacement and improvement of these beacons and is working towards ensuring that all school zones align with the new regulations.
No speeding citations can be issued until the necessary updates to the school zones are completed and in line with the state law. However, individuals who received speed camera tickets before August 1 are still obligated to pay these fines, regardless of their respective due dates.
The Cantrell administration, together with the Orleans Parish School Board, has not yet finalized a revenue-sharing agreement concerning funds generated by the school zone traffic cameras, a requirement stipulated by a state law set to take effect in 2024. According to a proposed agreement with the City Council, the School Board would receive 40% of the net revenue from these cameras, with the remaining funds allocated to its various schools.
Recent discussions among board members have raised issues regarding the timelines for payments and the sharing of revenues between public and private schools located within overlapping school zones. This has resulted in concerns about the city’s history of timely payments to contractors, bringing the distribution of revenue from traffic fines into question.
The regulatory changes regarding speed cameras and school zones aim to enhance traffic safety and ensure compliance with state laws. As the city works towards implementing the necessary infrastructure improvements, residents and drivers are reminded to remain vigilant in following traffic laws to safeguard the well-being of the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Orleans Suspends Speed Camera Enforcement Indefinitely
New Orleans Implements Changes for School Success
New Orleans Schools Prepare for Upcoming Academic Year
New Orleans to Suspend Speeding Tickets from Cameras
New Orleans Suspends Speed Camera Enforcement
New Orleans Delays Speed Camera Operation in School Zones
New Orleans to Halt Speeding Tickets from Automated Cameras
Additional Resources
- Fox8 Live: New Orleans Stops Issuing Speeding Tickets via Cameras
- Wikipedia: Traffic Enforcement Camera
- WWLTV: Speed Camera Tickets Paused in New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans traffic laws
- NOLA: Speed Cameras Turned Off in New Orleans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Law
- LA Illuminator: Speed Camera Updates
- Google News: New Orleans speeding tickets
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.
