Traffic light signal photo-monitoring; use of system, appeals. (HB1040)
Introduced By
Del. Johnny Joannou (D-Portsmouth) with support from co-patron Del. David Ramadan (R-South Riding)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
✗ |
Signed by Governor |
✓ |
Became Law |
Description
Use of photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals; appeals. Provides that operators found in violation of ordinances created to enforce photo-monitoring systems for traffic lights have a right to appeal to the circuit court and that the appeal shall be civil in nature. The bill also reduces from $50 to $25 amount of the matter in controversy necessary for an appeal of right in a civil case. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Passed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/08/2014 | Committee |
01/08/2014 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14102891D |
01/08/2014 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
01/16/2014 | Assigned Courts sub: Criminal Law |
02/03/2014 | Assigned Courts sub: Civil Law |
02/03/2014 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N) |
02/07/2014 | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/08/2014 | Read first time |
02/10/2014 | Read second time |
02/10/2014 | Committee amendments agreed to |
02/10/2014 | Engrossed by House as amended HB1040E |
02/10/2014 | Printed as engrossed 14102891D-E |
02/11/2014 | Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N) |
02/11/2014 | VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (99-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/12/2014 | Constitutional reading dispensed |
02/12/2014 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
02/24/2014 | Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 1-N) (see vote tally) |
02/25/2014 | Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) |
02/26/2014 | Read third time |
02/26/2014 | Passed Senate (38-Y 1-N) |
03/03/2014 | Enrolled |
03/03/2014 | Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1040ER) |
03/03/2014 | Signed by Speaker |
03/06/2014 | Signed by President |
04/07/2014 | G Vetoed by Governor |
04/22/2014 | Placed on Calendar |
04/23/2014 | Governor's veto overridden (78-Y 19-N) |
04/23/2014 | VOTE: AGREE TO MOTION (78-Y 19-N) |
04/23/2014 | Senate sustained Governor's veto (25-Y 13-N) |
04/23/2014 | Requires 26 affirmative votes to pass in enrolled form |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia supports repeal of the state statute authorizing the use of photo-monitoring systems for traffic enforcement. Data available now shows that these programs, compared to extended yellow lights, do not actually make us safer. A Federal Highway Administration study showed that, although red-light cameras decrease side-impact collisions by 25 percent, they cause a 15 percent increase in the number of rear-impact crashes. There are also constitutional due process concerns about the use of this technology. Use of the cameras to record traffic infractions require you to prove that you are innocent. That is not the usual constitutional requirement. Moreover, the systems in place make it difficult for most drivers to effectively challenge the tickets in court. Sometimes these systems don’t send out tickets for weeks. The driver may not be able to remember, much less prove, where he/she was four weeks ago. There are also privacy concerns regarding the collection and use of information from these cameras for dragnet surveillance. As is the case will all of the new technologies, whether red-light cameras, drones or license plate readers, the greatest concern is not knowing how the pictures and data collected will be used beyond the initial reason given. In this case, the greatest rationale for continuing to use these cameras is the revenue streams that they are producing for localities and the possible use of the data for purposes other than traffic enforcement and safety.