The implementation of speed cameras on roads is one of the most deterrent measures against speeding, and this is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is why in North Carolina, Bill 391 was approved in the North Carolina Senate, which went into effect on October 1, 2025. Under this new regulation, speed limits in school zones are reduced to the general limit, and compliance is monitored through automatic speed cameras.
The purpose of speed cameras is not only to combat speeding but also to ensure safety in these high-risk areas, protecting children, teenagers, and their families. Violating these limits will result in fines of up to $250, with an additional fine possible if the payment is not made within 30 days.
Speed cameras
Speeding on roads in the United States has been a problem that most states have been addressing this past year, 2025. Several tools are being used to tackle it, from more frequent traffic checks, reviewing speed limits, to the implementation of surveillance cameras. It is important to understand that the latter is considered one of the most effective measures to reduce road collisions, as well as to deter drivers from acting recklessly.
The risk of being caught on camera committing a violation makes drivers choose to be more cautious. This is how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines them, after a study on the use of cameras in vulnerable areas demonstrated that they are a very valuable deterrent, especially in more vulnerable areas such as school zones.
Risk perception while driving
When a driver is traveling at high speed, they lose awareness of the real danger they face, which means their reaction time will be shorter. This directly affects the likelihood of a collision occurring due to the inability to stop in time. Even if the driver realizes they need to brake to avoid a collision, often they do not have enough actual time to brake, leading to an accident.
Speed cameras in North Carolina
In response to this scenario of reckless driving, the North Carolina Senate has passed Bill 391, which came into effect this October 2025. Through this new measure, speed limits in school zones are set below the general limit (not less than 20 mph), and their enforcement is controlled through automatic speed cameras, which is a new development. According to official data, more than 7,000 people were charged in 2024 for exceeding the speed limit in school zones, and authorities aim to reduce that number. With the presence of permanent speed cameras, it is expected that drivers will slow down in these vulnerable areas.
Non-compliance with regulations
In the event of non-compliance with the regulations and exceeding the newly imposed limits, the driver will face fines of up to $250, without loss of points. In addition, if the fine is not paid within 30 days, an additional penalty will be applied. If the driver wishes to contest or appeal the sanction, they also have 30 days to do so.
Effect of security cameras
This type of method is funded by the fines generated, thus avoiding extra costs for taxpayers. It is expected that the implementation of this method will reduce the risk of accidents in these areas and ensure the safety of schoolchildren and their families. The goal is to achieve slower and safer driving, with the expectation that, over time, it becomes a habit rather than a behavior driven by the threat of a fine.