HB550 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Fairfield, 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, Fairfield Red Light Safety Act

Summary

The Fairfield Red Light Safety Act lets Fairfield use automated cameras to issue civil fines to vehicle owners for running red lights, with hearings, notices, and a possible private action against the driver who actually operated the vehicle.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes automated red-light enforcement in Fairfield and sets civil penalties (up to $100) plus court costs. The vehicle owner shown in the system is presumed liable and will receive notices by mail, with the option to pay in lieu of a hearing or contest liability in a municipal adjudication, and the right to appeal to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for a trial de novo. The act also creates a private right of action allowing the owner who pays the civil fine to sue the actual driver for reimbursement, under specific conditions and time limits. In addition, the act requires tamper protections, signage, public notice before use, and keeps civil penalties off criminal records and insurance unless an accident occurred due to the violation.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners registered in Alabama (and other states) whose vehicles are recorded running a red light; they are presumptively liable for the civil fine, receive notices, and may contest liability or pay the fine.
• The actual drivers who operated the vehicle at the time of the violation; they may be pursued by the owner for reimbursement if the owner pays the civil fine, and they have defenses available in adjudication or during any private action.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes automated photographic traffic signal enforcement in Fairfield to detect violations and issue civil fines up to $100, along with municipal court costs; includes a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.
• City must post warning signs at road entry points and provide public notice before use; signs near intersections must meet specific placement and visibility requirements, and decoy devices may be used.
• Notice of violation is mailed to the vehicle owner within 30 days of the violation, including details, images, penalty, payment deadline, rights to contest, and a presumption of receipt after 10 days; failure to pay or contest is treated as liability.
• Adjudication occurs in Fairfield Municipal Court with a burden on the city to prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence; trained technicians’ affidavits may be used; recorded images are admissible with authenticity and foundation rules.
• Civil penalties are civil in nature, do not appear on criminal or driving records, are not considered moving violations, and are not used by insurance companies except where an accident occurred due to the violation; nonpayment does not trigger arrest.
• Appeals from a municipal court decision go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for a trial de novo; circuit court procedures apply with civil standards and the city must provide representation for the prosecution.
• A private action allows the paid civil fine to be reimbursed by the actual operator of the vehicle, with a 60-day written demand and a two-year limit to sue after payment; requires court action to recover damages and attorney fees.
• If the operator was arrested or cited for a criminal violation related to the same incident, civil penalties may not be imposed for that red-light violation.

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