Tuskegee’s camera speeding ticket program halted, drivers to receive refunds

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WRBL) – The city of Tuskegee’s automated traffic camera ticket program has been put indefinitely on hold, and drivers who have already paid fines will be refunded, Mayor Lawrence Haygood Jr. has announced.

Haygood said the decision was made last week, prior to the removal of Tuskegee Police Chief Jennifer Jordan and Assistant Chief Michael Provo on Monday.

Back in January, speed cameras were installed on Franklin Road, Montgomery Road, and Chappie James Drive under Jordan’s leadership. However, Haygood revealed a critical step was overlooked, leading to the program’s suspension. He emphasized the suspension of the traffic citation program is unrelated to the recent changes in police leadership.

“If you receive a ticket in the mail, you do not have to pay, and if you’ve already paid your fine, your money will be refunded,” Haygood said.

WRBL is working to confirm the number of warnings and tickets issued since January under the program. We are also working to verify the amount of money paid by drivers who were issued tickets and how the funds were earmarked. We contacted the number listed on the traffic citations, 1-800-965-3001, which belongs to a third-party vendor, trafficsafetycitations.com. A representative confirmed drivers who received a citation from the city of Tuskegee have been granted amnesty and did not have to pay. Amnesty does not include citations issued during traditional police stops. For further information, residents are advised to contact Tuskegee City Hall at 334-720-0514. WRBL tried to call the number at City Hall, but it was unanswered.

The now-suspended program worked by recording the license plates of alleged speeding vehicles using cameras. An officer then reviews the footage to decide whether to issue a citation. Fines could reach up to $330 for speeding 20 miles over the limit in a school zone, and recipients were required to contest or pay the fine within 25 days to avoid additional penalties.

The ordinance specified violations would not be reported to the state or insurance companies, and the civil penalty would represent the final disposition of the violation. Recorded images were intended to serve as evidence in any proceedings.

The specifics of the refund process are still being determined, but Mayor Haygood assures all fines paid will be returned.

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