School Zone Camera Programme – Hours/Operations Defects
New Orleans operates one of the largest school-zone speed camera programmes in the U.S., with cameras active only during posted school hours (typically 7:00–9:00 AM and 2:30–4:30 PM on school days). Common defects: cameras still issuing tickets on holidays, teacher in-service days, summer break, weekends, or after the school's actual hours; signage that doesn't match the actual zone times; calibration certificates expired; ordinance requires officer review before issuance. Under La. R.S. §32:398.4 (added by Act 2013, No. 273), automated traffic enforcement notices must be reviewed by a sworn officer before issuance.
Legal basis
New Orleans Code §154-1701.1; La. R.S. §32:398.4; OPSB and RSD school calendars; MUTCD §7B-12 (school zone signage)
Sample appeal wording
City of New Orleans Department of Public Works – Photo Enforcement Re: Automated Traffic Enforcement Notice [NOTICE#] Date of Alleged Violation: [DATE] at [TIME] Location: [SCHOOL_ZONE_LOCATION] CONTEST – CAMERA OPERATED OUTSIDE ENFORCEMENT HOURS / REQUEST FOR DOCUMENTATION I contest this notice and request the following: 1. The Orleans Parish School Board's master calendar shows that [DATE] was [a holiday / a teacher in-service day / summer break / a weekend]. School zone speed limits under New Orleans Code §154-1701.1 are enforceable only 'when children are present and during posted school hours.' On [DATE] at [TIME], school was not in session and the reduced speed limit was not legally in effect. 2. Posted signage at [LOCATION] indicates enforcement only during '[HOURS]' on school days; the alleged violation occurred outside those hours. 3. Pursuant to La. R.S. §44:1 et seq. (Public Records Act), I formally request: (a) The calibration certificate for the specific device, valid on [DATE]; (b) The certification of the operator who reviewed the violation pursuant to La. R.S. §32:398.4; (c) Maintenance records for the device for the 90 days preceding the violation; (d) Raw video and metadata. Under La. R.S. §44:33, the City must respond within three business days. If the documentation is not produced or fails to show compliance, the notice must be dismissed. [NAME] | [ADDRESS] | [DATE]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- New Orleans Code §154-1701.1
- La. R.S. §32:398.4
- La. R.S. §44:1 et seq. (Louisiana Public Records Act)
- Orleans Parish School Board academic calendar