Bill > SB21

This bill establishes a new system for monitoring traffic control signals using automated camera technology, creating a civil penalty framework for drivers who run red lights. The legislation defines key terms such as "agency" (the law enforcement entity responsible for traffic control), "owner" (the registered vehicle owner), "recorded images" (photographic or video evidence of a traffic violation), and "traffic control signal monitoring system" (a device that captures images of vehicles running red lights). Under the bill, drivers caught by these monitoring systems will be subject to a $50 civil penalty, with $45 retained by local government and $5 sent to the Administrative Office of the Courts. The bill mandates that citations must be mailed within 14 days and include specific details about the violation. Drivers have the option to pay the penalty or contest the citation in District Court. Importantly, the bill provides several potential defenses, such as yielding to emergency vehicles or having a stolen vehicle, and ensures that these violations will not result in points on a driver's record. If a person refuses to pay the penalty, the Transportation Cabinet will suspend the vehicle's registration until payment is made. The legislation aims to improve traffic safety by creating a structured, non-criminal enforcement mechanism for red light violations.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/sb21.html