HB55 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Brighton, 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, Brighton Red Light Safety Act

Summary

Brighton, Alabama may use automated red-light cameras to issue civil fines for running red lights, with the vehicle owner presumptively liable and options to contest, appeal, and seek reimbursement from the actual driver.

What This Bill Does

The city can detect red-light violations with cameras and issue civil penalties up to $100 plus court costs, sent by mail to the vehicle owner. The owner is presumed liable, but can contest liability through a hearing; if found liable, they may appeal to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo. If the owner pays the civil fine, a separate civil action can be brought against the person who was actually operating the vehicle to recover the amount paid. The act also requires warning signs, public notice before use, and prohibits tampering with the system except by authorized personnel.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners of records in Alabama (and those with vehicles registered outside Alabama) whose vehicles are recorded running a red light in Brighton; they face civil penalties, notices by mail, and opportunities to contest or pay.
• The actual driver or operator who was operating the vehicle at the time of the red-light violation; they may be pursued by the person who paid the civil fine for reimbursement and may be subject to defenses and evidence rules in proceedings.

Key Provisions

• authorizes automated photographic red-light enforcement in Brighton as a civil violation with penalties not exceeding $100 plus municipal costs; a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center is collected for record-keeping.
• the owner of the vehicle is presumptively liable for the civil violation, with procedures to contest liability; notices of violation are mailed to the owner's address, and there is a hearing and appeal process (trial de novo in circuit court).
• a separate cause of action allows recovering the civil fine amount from the person who actually operated the vehicle at the time of the violation if the owner pays the fine; procedures address evidence and defenses, and tampering with the system is prohibited unless by authorized persons.
• signs and public notices are required (at least 10 entry points with warnings; 30-day public awareness period before use; potential decoy devices permitted; and warning signs within 60 yards of intersections).
• the city must provide an adjudicative hearing process, and civil penalties and costs are not recorded on criminal or driving records; appeals are conducted under civil standards with the circuit court handling trial de novo.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County