SB411 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Gerald O. DialTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Opelika, motor vehicles, automated traffic infraction device, use for red light enforcement authorized, procedures, posting of informational signs, civil fines and court costs, additional court costs for record keeping by Criminal Justice Information Center, appeals, penalties for intentional tampering with device, Opelika Red Light Safety Act

Summary

SB411 lets Opelika use automated red-light cameras to issue civil fines with a defined process for notices, hearings, and appeals.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, Opelika may install a photographic traffic signal enforcement system to detect red-light violations and issue civil fines up to $100. The vehicle owner is presumptively liable, notices are mailed, and there are options to pay, contest, or receive a warning; violations are civil and do not become criminal records or affect driving or insurance. Appeals go from the Opelika Municipal Court to the Lee County Circuit Court for trial de novo, with the city handling prosecution and the circuit court reviewing the case as a civil matter.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners (including lessees for rental vehicles) whose vehicle runs a red light in Opelika; they would be liable for civil fines, receive mailed notices, and may contest liability or seek reimbursement from the actual operator.
• City of Opelika and its Municipal Court (and the Lee County Circuit Court on appeal), plus trained technicians and enforcement vendors who operate the system, issue notices, collect fines, and handle hearings and appeals.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Opelika to operate a photographic traffic signal enforcement system to detect red-light violations and issue civil violations rather than criminal offenses.
• Civil fines are capped at $100; municipal court costs apply in contested cases; additional $10 fees go to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and to the Opelika Court for record-keeping and processing.
• Notice of violation is mailed to the vehicle owner within 30 days; notices include details, images, and payment deadlines; receipt is presumed on the 10th day after mailing; owners may pay or request an adjudicative hearing.
• Cases are heard in the Opelika Municipal Court; the city bears the burden of proof; trained technicians may provide affidavits; images are admissible; appeals go to the Lee County Circuit Court for trial de novo with civil procedures.
• Civil penalties do not become part of criminal records, do not affect driving records or insurance, and jail is not used for nonpayment; late fees up to $25 per month may apply.
• The city must post signs at entry points and intersections, conduct a public notice campaign before use, and may place decoy devices; annual data on effectiveness must be reported to ADOT and CJIC; compliance with traffic engineering standards is required.
• If a liable party pays the civil fine, they may sue the actual vehicle operator for reimbursement (with a 60-day demand period and a 2-year limit).
• Affirmative defenses exist (e.g., improper visibility, operator complied with officer, emergency vehicle, stolen vehicle or plate, hazardous road conditions).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Lee County