SB546 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: City of Vestavia Hills, motor vehicles, automated traffic infraction device, use of 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
Summary: SB546 would let Vestavia Hills use automated traffic cameras to enforce red-light and speeding violations as civil offenses, with owner liability and a defined process for notices, fines, and appeals.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes Vestavia Hills to deploy automated red-light and speeding cameras and treat violations as civil penalties rather than criminal offenses. Vehicle owners are presumptively liable, receive notices by mail, and can contest liability or pay the penalty, with appeals possible in Jefferson County Circuit Court for a trial de novo. Fines, costs, notices, and public reporting are specified, tampering is prohibited, and penalties do not appear on criminal or driving records; a private action may be filed to recover fines from the actual operator or renter/lessee when applicable.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners in Vestavia Hills who may receive civil notices for red-light or speeding violations detected by cameras and must decide whether to pay, contest, or appeal (fines do not become criminal records).
People who actually operate the vehicle at the time of the violation (drivers) and renters/lessees, who may be pursued for reimbursement or held liable through private actions, with defenses and certification requirements outlined.

Key Provisions
Provision establishing automated red-light enforcement as civil violations in Vestavia Hills, with owner liability, notice by mail, up to $100 civil fine, municipal costs, and an appeal path to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo, plus a tampering prohibition.
Provision extending similar automated enforcement to speeding violations, with specified civil fines ($50–$150 depending on excess speed, plus $10 to the Criminal Justice Information Center), notice and hearing procedures, potential doubling of penalties in school zones, data reporting, and private actions to recover fines paid from the operator or renter/lessee.

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