SB 1470 ~ Photo Radar; Prohibition on Highways

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1470
photo radar; prohibition on highways

Purpose
Prohibits the use of photo enforcement systems on state highways to detect speed
violators.

Background
Photo enforcement systems, commonly referred to as photo radar, utilize digital cameras,
computers and radar sensors to detect violations of speed limit and red light laws.

There are two types of photo radar systems, fixed and mobile. A fixed photo radar system
is the most common form of photo radar and can be installed on the side of a road or mounted
overhead in gantries, while a mobile photo radar system is mounted on a mobile device that
usually takes one of two basic forms: 1) a photo radar camera or sensor that can be moved from
one fixed location to the next; or 2) a photo radar camera or sensor that is mounted in a van or
tethered to a vehicle.

Photo radar typically utilizes two cameras to identify the vehicle and driver involved in
speeding or red light violations. One camera is utilized to produce an image of the oncoming
driver’s face while the other camera is used to identify the vehicle’s rear license plate.
Under most contracts in Arizona, when traffic violations are detected using photo radar,
the photo radar vendor reviews and validates the citation. Upon validation, a traffic citation is
filed against the registered owner of the vehicle in the appropriate municipal court having
jurisdiction over the violation. After the citation is filed, notice is sent by mail to the vehicle’s
registered owner. If the owner does not respond, a process server is sent to serve the complaint to the owner in person or may leave copies at the owner’s home with another resident of suitable
age and discretion. If the person in the photograph is not the registered owner of the vehicle,
municipalities may allow the owner to identify the driver and transfer responsibility for the
traffic citation.

Currently, there is only one statute, A.R.S. § 28-654, governing the use of photo radar to
identify traffic violations in Arizona. The statute requires local municipalities using photo radar
systems to display signs indicating to drivers on the road that a photo radar system is present and operational.

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
proposed legislation.

Provisions
1. Prohibits a photo enforcement system from being used on state highways to detect violators
of speed restrictions.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.