Automated traffic enforcement system programs.

Plain English Breakdown

The exact penalties are not specified and must be set by local governments.

Automated Traffic Enforcement System Programs

This law allows cities, counties, or city and county governments to use automated traffic enforcement systems to detect violations at traffic signals and sets rules for issuing notices of violation and handling appeals.

What This Bill Does

• Allows local governments to set up programs using automated traffic enforcement systems to catch drivers who violate traffic control signals like red lights.
• Requires escalating civil penalties for violations recorded by these systems, starting from a base amount that increases with repeat offenses.
• Establishes procedures for issuing notices of violation and provides an initial review process before an administrative hearing can be requested.
• Includes an appeals process where people can challenge the notice of violation issued due to automated traffic enforcement system findings.
• Requires local governments to consider safety risks when deciding on rules about right turns on red lights compared to going through intersections against a red signal.

Who It Names or Affects

• Drivers who violate traffic control signals in areas where these systems are used.
• Local government agencies responsible for setting up and managing automated traffic enforcement programs.
• People challenging notices of violation issued by these systems.

Terms To Know

Automated Traffic Enforcement System

A system that uses technology to detect and record violations of traffic laws, such as running red lights or speeding.

Civil Penalty

A fine imposed for breaking a law or regulation, usually not involving criminal charges.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact penalties for violations beyond stating they are escalating and requires local governments to set specific amounts.
• It is unclear how many cities will implement these systems due to the discretion given to local jurisdictions.
• The effectiveness of these systems in improving traffic safety has not been proven by this legislation.

Official Summary Text

SB 720, Ashby.
Automated traffic enforcement system programs.
Existing law authorizes the limit line, intersection, or other places where a driver is required to stop to be equipped with an automated traffic enforcement system if the governmental agency utilizing the system meets certain requirements, including identifying the system with signs and ensuring that the system meets specified criteria on minimum yellow light change intervals. Existing law authorizes, until January 1, 2032, the Cities of Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, and Long Beach, and the City and County of San Francisco to establish a speed safety system pilot program for speed enforcement that utilizes a speed safety system in specified areas, if the system meets specified requirements. Existing law prescribes specified requirements for a notice of violation issued pursuant to these provisions, and requires a violation of a speed law that is recorded by a speed safety
system to be subject only to a specified civil penalty.
This bill would additionally authorize a city, county, or city and county to establish an automated traffic enforcement system program to use those systems to detect a violation of a traffic control signal, if the system meets specified requirements. The bill would require a violation of a traffic control signal that is recorded by an automated traffic enforcement system to be subject to escalating civil penalties, as specified. The bill would, among other things, provide for the issuance of a notice of violation, an initial review, an administrative hearing, and an appeals process, as specified, for a violation under this program. The bill would clarify that a local jurisdiction may utilize an automated traffic enforcement system pursuant to these provisions or the above-described provisions authorizing the utilization of an automated traffic enforcement system. The bill would require a local jurisdiction
utilizing the above-described provisions to take into account the relative risk to traffic and pedestrian safety posed by prohibited right turns on red compared to proceeding through the intersection against a red signal.
Existing law establishes a $25 filing fee for specified appeals and petitions.
This bill would require a $25 filing fee for an appeal challenging a notice of violation issued as a result of an automated traffic enforcement system.
Existing provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 70615 of the Government Code proposed by AB 289 to be operative only if this bill and AB 289 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF