SB401 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Priscilla Dunn

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Bessemer, camera enforcement of traffic speed and red light violations, further provided for

Summary

SB401 lets the City of Bessemer use automated cameras to issue civil fines for red-light, stop-sign, and speeding violations, with owners presumptively liable and a process to pay, contest, or appeal.

What This Bill Does

The city may implement automated traffic enforcement and issue civil fines by mail for recorded violations. The vehicle owner shown in the image is presumptively liable, but there is a process to contest liability and seek judicial review in the Jefferson County Circuit Court (trial de novo). Fines for speeding follow a set schedule, with higher amounts in school zones and additional costs for administrative hearings; there are protections so these civil violations do not become criminal records, and the owner can pursue the actual driver if someone paid the fine.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners in Bessemer: may receive notices by mail and owe civil fines when their vehicle is recorded violating a traffic signal or speed limit.
• Vehicle renters/lessees and rental companies: during the rental period the lessor is generally not liable, but the city may obtain renter information and issue a new notice to the renter, making the renter potentially liable under the same process.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the City of Bessemer to adopt ordinances to operate automated traffic signal, stop sign, and speeding enforcement systems and to issue civil notices and collect fines.
• Defines civil violation, owner, and the camera systems used (photographic stop sign, traffic signal, and vehicle speed enforcement) with required images.
• Sets speeding fines by speed over the limit (e.g., $60 for 5-10 mph over, $110 for 10-15 mph, $135 for 15-20 mph, $160 for more than 20 mph) and doubles fines in school zones; caps fines for signal and stop-sign violations (up to $110).
• Notices are mailed to the vehicle owner within 30 days of the violation; receipt is presumed on the 10th day after mailing; payment or contest must occur within specific timeframes; administrative hearing may occur with a $30 fee if contested.
• Administrative hearing process: the City bears the burden to prove liability by a preponderance of the evidence; trained technicians can attest to photo evidence; the circuit court can review the decision on a trial de novo if appealed; no fines are kept if found not liable.
• Renters/lessees: the lessor is not liable during the rental period, but the city may request renter information and issue a new notice to the renter within a defined window, making the renter potentially liable under the same process as an owner.
• Data and traffic management: the city must collect and report annual statistics on system effectiveness to the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center; signage and location rules apply to notify motorists of enforcement devices.

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

Subjects

Bessemer