Signed by Governor Tom Corbett

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that authorizes automated red light enforcement systems in certain municipalities.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a “municipality” to enforce traffic light violations by using an automated red light enforcement system if the municipality receives approval from the Department of Transportation regarding the location of the system (Sec. 4).

• Defines “municipality” as having a population over 20,000 and a police agency accredited by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that the owner of the vehicle will be responsible for each traffic light violation that is recorded by an automated red light enforcement system, unless the owner can provide evidence that (Sec. 4):
•  The owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation;
•  The vehicle was reported to a police department as being stolen prior to the time of the violation and had not been recovered prior to that time; or
•  The individual receiving notice of the violation was not the owner or lessor of the vehicle at the time of the offense.

• Establishes a fine of $100 for a traffic-control signal violation that is recorded by an automated red light enforcement system, unless a lesser amount is set by an ordinance (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that a penalty for a traffic light violation that is recorded by an automated red light enforcement system shall not be a criminal conviction and shall not result in the assessment of points to the driver's license (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the use of an automated red light enforcement system to take a frontal image of the vehicle as evidence of having committed a violation (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the automated red light enforcement camera equipment from being used for intersection surveillance (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes court-directed use of automated red light enforcement camera equipment if the information is reasonably described and is requested solely for use in a criminal law enforcement action (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that information gathered under the automated red light enforcement system can only be used by the municipality and cannot be accessed under the “Right-To-Know” law (Sec. 4).

• Requires a municipality to destroy images recorded by the automated red light enforcement cameras within 30 days and notify the Department of State once the records have been destroyed (Sec. 4).

• Requires a municipality to post a clearly visible sign before the automated red light enforcement camera’s location, notifying the public that the device is located immediately ahead (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that the authorization of automated red light enforcement systems expires July 15, 2017 (Sec. 4).

• Requires individuals under the age of 18 who wish to take the examination for a Class M license to operate a motorcycle to first take the department-approved motorcycle safety course (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes automated red light enforcement systems in certain municipalities.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a “municipality” to enforce traffic light violations by using an automated red light enforcement system if the municipality receives approval from the Department of Transportation regarding the location of the system (Sec. 4).

• Defines “municipality” as having a population over 20,000 and a police agency accredited by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that the owner of the vehicle will be responsible for each traffic light violation that is recorded by an automated red light enforcement system, unless the owner can provide evidence that (Sec. 4):
•  The owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation;
•  The vehicle was reported to a police department as being stolen prior to the time of the violation and had not been recovered prior to that time; or
•  The individual receiving notice of the violation was not the owner or lessor of the vehicle at the time of the offense.

• Establishes a fine of $100 for a traffic-control signal violation that is recorded by an automated red light enforcement system, unless a lesser amount is set by an ordinance (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that a penalty for a traffic light violation that is recorded by an automated red light enforcement system shall not be a criminal conviction and shall not result in the assessment of points to the driver's license (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the use of an automated red light enforcement system to take a frontal image of the vehicle as evidence of having committed a violation (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the automated red light enforcement camera equipment from being used for intersection surveillance (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes court-directed use of automated red light enforcement camera equipment if the information is reasonably described and is requested solely for use in a criminal law enforcement action (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that information gathered under the automated red light enforcement system can only be used by the municipality and cannot be accessed under the “Right-To-Know” law (Sec. 4).

• Requires a municipality to destroy images recorded by the automated red light enforcement cameras within 30 days and notify the Department of State once the records have been destroyed (Sec. 4).

• Requires a municipality to post a clearly visible sign before the automated red light enforcement camera’s location, notifying the public that the device is located immediately ahead (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that the authorization of automated red light enforcement systems expires July 15, 2017 (Sec. 4).

• Requires individuals under the age of 18 who wish to take the examination for a Class M license to operate a motorcycle to first take the department-approved motorcycle safety course (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text