House of
Representatives
HB 2174
photo enforcement; signage
Sponsors: Representative Robson, Representative Gorman
HB 2174 requires that state agencies and local authorities adopt standards for posting signage and equipment if the agency or local authority is using a photo enforcement system to identify persons who violate laws relating to speed limits or traffic control devices.
History
Current statute requires the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to erect signage warning motorists they are approaching a state highway work zone and are subject to an increased fine for speeding in the work zone. Current statute also requires the agency or local authority that establishes a speed zone to erect signage at the beginning of the zone to notify motorists of the maximum allowable speed within the zone, and signage at the end of the zone denoting the speed the motorist may resume traveling.
According to the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration: Signs warning motorists that red light cameras are being used are typically required by law or ordinance but, whether required or not, should be posted as part of the driver awareness and education process. These warning signs may be placed in the following locations at photo-enforced intersections:
- In advance of photo-enforced intersections.
- At photo-enforced intersections, typically on the far side traffic signal pole.
- On all approaches into an area where red light camera systems are used for red light running.
Warning signs placed on all approaches into an area, while used to satisfy legal requirements in some jurisdictions, are appropriate as supplemental warning signs but not as the primary warning for motorists. Advance warning signs should be installed at photo-enforced intersections.
All advance warning signs should be clearly visible and compliant with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
As pointed out in the October 2005 Arizona Department of Transportation Final report 596 entitled Technical Evaluation of Photo Speed Enforcement for Freeways, the United Kingdom has the most extensive experience with photo Speed Enforcement.
According to the Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales for 2005/06, signs are mandatory so that motorists can be fully aware of the existence of a safety camera site. In addition, the Handbook requires the first camera warning sign to be placed not more than 1 kilometer from the first camera housing (fixed camera sites).
For mobile camera enforcement, signs warning motorists about the camera are required to be placed at a point before the motorist enters the area under camera enforcement. At motorway sites, signing must be erected adjacent to the hard shoulder and may also be erected at suitable locations on the central reserve
The Handbook further requires that fixed speed camera housings be painted yellow or covered with reflective yellow sheeting. In addition, minimum visibility distances are prescribed. The speed camera housings or the mobile camera unit must be visible from 60 meters where the speed limit is 40 mph or less, and 100 meters for all other speed limits.
The City of Scottsdale has posted signs that are five feet by sixteen feet on a 7.8 mile portion of Loop 101 in anticipation of issuing citations for speeding beginning on February 21, 2005. At least six cities in Arizona have photo radar systems in place, including Chandler, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. More than 90 cites and towns throughout the Unites States use photo radar to regulate speed and red light violations and photo radar is used in Canada, Britain, and several other countries. No city in the United States currently uses photo radar on highways.
Provisions
- Mandates that at least two signs shall be placed in a location before a photo enforcement system. One sign shall be at approximately three hundred feet before the photo enforcement system.
- Provides that placement of additional signs shall be more than three hundred feet before a photo enforcement system to provide reasonable warning that a photo enforcement system is present and operational.
- Mandates that signs shall contain a yellow warning notice, and correlate with and as far as possible conform to the system set forth in the most recent edition of the manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways adopted by the director.
- Requires signs to be covered or removed when photo enforcement systems are not operational.
- Provides that the court may dismiss any citation issued by the use of a photo enforcement system if the standards and specifications are not in effect during the time the system is operational.
- Defines photo enforcement system.
- Requires that during the time a vehicle containing photo enforcement equipment is being used to identify violators, the rear of the vehicle shall be clearly marked to indicate that the vehicle is functioning as photo enforcement vehicle.
- Exempts a vehicle that does not contain a photo enforcement system and that is used by a law enforcement officer.
- Exempts a mobile photo enforcement vehicle from adoption of standards and specifications that indicate a photo enforcement system is present and operational during the time a mobile photo enforcement vehicle is deployed on streets with a posted speed limit of forty miles per hour or less.
- Exempts a city that has been issued a permit by the Arizona Department of Transportation to conduct a photo enforcement demonstration project and that has posted signage and installed equipment prior to the effective date of this act.
- Makes technical and conforming changes.
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Forty-seventh Legislature Analyst Initials _______
Second Regular Session January 23, 2006
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