HB548 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Napoleon BracyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Prichard, motor vehicles, automated traffic infraction device, use for red light enforcement authorized, procedures, posting of informational signs, civil fines, record keeping by Criminal Justice Information Center, appeals, tampering with photographic traffic signal enforcement system, prohibited, Prichard Red Light Safety Act

Summary

HB548 would let Prichard use automated red-light cameras to issue civil fines to vehicle owners, with a defined process for notices, hearings, and appeals, and a remedy allowing action against the actual driver who operated the vehicle.

What This Bill Does

The city may deploy automated photographic red-light enforcement and issue civil penalties up to $100 plus municipal court costs, with a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. Vehicle owners receive mailed notices and are presumptively liable unless they contest; adjudications occur in Prichard Municipal Court, with appeals to Mobile County Circuit Court for trial de novo. The act also creates a civil cause of action against the person who actually operated the vehicle at the time of the violation, requires signage and public notice, prohibits tampering with the system, and designates the penalties as civil rather than criminal.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners (including those with vehicles rented or leased) recorded by the city’s red-light cameras: they receive notices, are presumptively liable for civil fines and costs, and may contest liability in municipal court.
• The actual drivers/operators who were operating the vehicle at the time of the red-light violation: they may be sued by the person who paid the civil fine to recover the amount paid plus damages, under a set process.

Key Provisions

• Allows Prichard to use an automated photographic traffic signal enforcement system to detect red-light violations and prosecute civil violations totaling up to $100 in fines plus municipal court costs.
• Notices of violation are mailed to the vehicle owner, with recorded images and details, a deadline to pay, and information about contesting liability; liability is presumptively with the owner unless contested.
• Civil violations are heard in Prichard Municipal Court; appeals go to Mobile County Circuit Court for trial de novo; the city bears the burden of proving the violation, with trained technicians able to provide affidavits as evidence.
• The city must post warnings and provide public notice, including signage at least 60 yards from intersections and posting at least 10 entry points; decoy devices may be used.
• Tampering with the photographic system is prohibited except by authorized persons.
• A separate civil action may be brought against the actual operator by the person who paid the civil fine, subject to a 60-day written reimbursement demand and a two-year statute of limitations from payment.
• Penalties are civil, not criminal; no record of civil adjudications appears on criminal or driving records, and the act specifies how fines and costs are collected and distributed.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mobile County