HB460 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rod Scott

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

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

Fairfield could use automated red-light cameras to issue civil fines to vehicle owners, with a formal process to contest liability and appeal.

What This Bill Does

The act would let Fairfield install and operate automated camera systems to detect red-light violations and issue civil penalties up to $100. The vehicle owner is presumed liable, but there are procedures to contest liability; notices are mailed, and fines are payable or could be challenged in court. Appeals go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo, with the city providing legal representation in the circuit court. The law also creates a private right of action for someone who pays a civil fine to seek reimbursement from the actual operator, and sets rules on signage, public notice, record-keeping, and tamper restrictions.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners (and renters) in Fairfield would be responsible for civil red-light penalties detected by cameras, receive notices by mail, may contest liability, and could face civil fines.
• Fairfield city government and its courts (Fairfield Municipal Court and the Jefferson County Circuit Court) would administer the enforcement program, hear adjudications, handle appeals, collect fines and court costs, and manage required records and data.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Fairfield to use automated photographic traffic signal enforcement for red-light violations; civil fines may not exceed $100; municipal court costs are applied similarly to misdemeanor violations; $10 may be collected to fund record-keeping by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.
• Requires signage at entry points and near intersections, public notice and awareness before use (including potential decoy devices), and signage standards (60-yard warning signs, placement requirements).
• Notice of violation is mailed to the vehicle owner within 30 days of the recorded violation; notices include details, images, penalty amount, payment deadline, and rights to contest; presumed receipt on the 10th day after mailing.
• The Fairfield Municipal Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate civil violations; the city bears the burden of proof; hearings may use affidavits from trained technicians; failure to appear results in costs added to the civil fine.
• Appeals of civil liability go to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo; circuit court uses civil standards of proof, and the city provides legal representation in the circuit court.
• No civil penalty or liability may be imposed if the operator is arrested for or cited for criminal violations that occur at the same time and place as the red-light violation; the act restricts how evidence is used and how penalties are recorded.
• A private right of action is available for payers to sue the actual operator for reimbursement of the civil fine plus damages and attorney fees, with a 60-day demand period and a two-year statute of limitations from payment.
• Tampering with the photographic system is prohibited except by authorized people; the act also caps the impact on driving records and insurance (civil violations do not become driving record entries or moving violations).
• The city must collect and annually report data on the system’s effectiveness to the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.

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