General Assembly

February Session, 2012

Raised Bill No. 5458

*01836_______TRA*
Referred to Committee on Transportation Introduced by: (TRA)

AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SAFETY DEVICES AT CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) As used in this section and sections 2 to 4, inclusive, of this act: (1) "Automated traffic enforcement safety device" means a device that (A) is capable of producing a photographically recorded still or video image, or combination thereof, of the rear of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle, including an image of the vehicle's rear license plate; and (B) indicates on one or more of any such image produced, the date and time, and the location of violation and the traffic control signal; (2) "Owner" means a person or persons in whose name a motor vehicle is registered under title 14 of the general statutes, or under the laws of another state or country; and (3) "Vendor" means a person who: (A) Provides services to a municipality under sections 2 to 4, inclusive, of this act; (B) operates,
LCO No. 1836
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

1 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

maintains, leases or licenses an automated traffic enforcement safety device; or (C) is authorized to review and assemble the recorded images captured by the automated traffic enforcement safety device, provided none of these activities shall be construed by the state or a traffic authority as providing or participating in private investigative services. Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) (a) A municipality with a population greater than forty-eight thousand, with the authorization of its chief executive officer and legislative body, may authorize the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices to enforce the provisions of section 14-299 of the general statutes, within such municipality. Such authorization shall expire on September 30, 2018. (b) Any contract between a municipality enforcing an ordinance adopted under this section and a vendor shall not provide for payment to the vendor on a contingency basis. (c) Before enforcing an ordinance adopted under this section, the municipality's police chief shall approve any proposed automated traffic enforcement safety device location, and the municipality shall install advance warning signs along all approaches of the roadways preceding the intersection at which an automated traffic enforcement safety device is located. The advance warning signs shall (1) notify motorists of the existence of the automated traffic enforcement safety device, and (2) be located not less than one hundred feet and not more than one hundred ten feet from such intersection. (d) Any ordinance adopted under this section shall specify that: (1) The owner of a motor vehicle commits a violation of the ordinance if the automated traffic enforcement safety device produces a recorded image or images of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle proceeding through an intersection in violation of the provisions of section 14-299 of the general statutes; (2) the owner of a motor vehicle establishes a defense if the person identified as having the care, custody or control of the motor vehicle, or identified
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

LCO No. 1836

2 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79

as the operator of the motor vehicle at the time of the violation, is not the owner; (3) payment of a penalty and associated costs and fees imposed for a violation of an ordinance adopted under this section may be made by electronic means; and (4) a designated employee of a vendor and a local police officer shall review and approve the recorded image or images before the notices referred to in subsection (f) of this section are mailed to the owner of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle. (e) An ordinance adopted under this section: (1) Shall impose a civil penalty of not more than fifty dollars; (2) may impose fees associated with the electronic processing of the payment of the civil penalty imposed for a violation of such ordinance, provided such fees do not exceed fifteen dollars; and (3) shall provide that the civil penalty imposed for a violation of such ordinance may be applied to defray the costs of the installation, operation and maintenance of the automated traffic enforcement safety device and program. (f) The municipality or its authorized agent shall mail to the owner of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle committing a violation of an ordinance adopted pursuant to this section, notice of the ordinance violation by first class mail postmarked not later than thirty days after obtaining the name and address of the owner of the motor vehicle, but not more than sixty days after the date of the alleged violation. The notice shall include: (1) The name and address of the owner of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle; (2) the license plate number of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle; (3) the violation charged; (4) the location of the intersection and the date and time of the violation; (5) a copy of or information on how to view, through electronic means, the recorded image described in this section; (6) a statement or electronicallygenerated affirmation by a designated employee of a vendor, or local police officer, who has reviewed the recorded image described in this section and determined that the motor vehicle violated the ordinance;
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

LCO No. 1836

3 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111

(7) the amount of the civil penalty imposed for the violation; and (8) the date by which the civil penalty shall be paid if the owner of the vehicle does not choose to contest the violation and chooses to avoid paying court costs. The date by which the civil penalty shall be paid shall be not later than thirty days after the issuance date of the violation if a defense described in this section does not apply or fortyfive days after the issuance date of the violation if a defense described in this section requires the notice to be sent to another person. (g) Any challenge to the implementation of an automated traffic enforcement safety device or adoption of an ordinance under this section shall be brought within thirty days of passage of the ordinance. (h) It is a defense in a proceeding to enforce an ordinance adopted under this section if the owner provides to the municipality, or agent for the municipality, an affidavit signed under the penalties of perjury which: (1) Establishes that, at the time of the alleged violation, the owner was engaged in the business of renting or leasing motor vehicles under written agreements; (2) establishes that, at the time of the alleged violation, the motor vehicle was in the care, custody or control of a person other than the owner or an employee of the owner of the motor vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle, under a written agreement for the rental or lease of the motor vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle, for a period of not more than sixty days; and (3) provides to the traffic authority, court or agent for the municipality the name and address of the person who was renting or leasing the motor vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle at the time of the alleged violation. (i) If the owner of a motor vehicle or a vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle meets the requirements of subsection (h) of this section, the traffic authority, court or agent for the local municipality shall mail, or electronically transfer, a notice of the citation to the person identified as having the care, custody or control of the motor
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

LCO No. 1836

4 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144

vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle at the time of the violation. The proof required under subsection (h) of this section creates a rebuttable presumption that the person having the care, custody or control of the motor vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle at the time of the violation was the operator of the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. The notice required under this subsection shall contain the following: (1) The information described in subsection (f) of this section; (2) a statement that the person receiving the notice was identified by the owner of the motor vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle as the person having the care, custody or control of the motor vehicle at the time of the violation; and (3) a statement that a person may offer a defense as described in this subsection, or in subsection (h) or (j) of this section. (j) It is a defense to a proceeding to enforce an ordinance adopted under this section if the owner provides to the traffic authority or court an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury stating either of the following: (1) That the owner was not operating the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle drawing another vehicle at the time of the alleged violation and provides the name and address of the person operating the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle drawing a vehicle at the time of the alleged violation; or (2) that either: (A) The motor vehicle, or (B) the license plate of the motor vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle, was stolen before the alleged violation occurred and was not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the alleged violation. In addition to such affidavit, the owner shall submit proof that a police report was filed concerning the stolen motor vehicle or stolen license plate. (k) If the owner of a motor vehicle or a vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle submits the evidence required under subsection (j) of this section, the traffic authority, court or agent for the local municipality shall mail a notice of the citation to the person identified as the person operating the motor vehicle at the time of the violation.
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

LCO No. 1836

5 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176

The proof required under subsection (j) of this section creates a rebuttable presumption that the person identified in the affidavit required under subsection (j) of this section was the operator of the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. The notice required under this subsection shall contain the following: (1) The information described in subsection (f) of this section; and (2) a statement that the person receiving the notice was identified by the owner of the motor vehicle as the person operating the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. (l) It is a defense to a proceeding to enforce an ordinance adopted under this section if any of the following apply: (1) A person operating an authorized emergency vehicle may proceed past a red traffic control signal or traffic control device after slowing down as necessary for safe operation; (2) the traffic signal lights are not operating, and such is able to be observed on the recorded image; (3) the operator was complying with a lawful order or direction of a law enforcement officer, and such is able to be observed on the recorded image; (4) the operator was yielding right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle, and such is able to be observed on the recorded image; (5) the vehicle was participating in a funeral procession, and such is able to be observed on the recorded image; or (6) a traffic citation was issued to the operator of the motor vehicle for the violation by a state or local police officer. (m) A designated employee or local police officer is not liable for any loss while acting within the scope of the employment of the designated employee or local police officer under this section or an ordinance adopted under this section. (n) If it appears from the records of the local authority that has jurisdiction to enforce an ordinance adopted under this section that a person has failed to pay a violation before the deadlines established by this section without notification of an intent to contest the violation, the local authority shall send a notice to the person who is the
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

LCO No. 1836

6 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209

registered owner of the motor vehicle or the vehicle being drawn by another motor vehicle that such person has an outstanding unpaid assessment. (o) The chief executive officer of a municipality shall appoint one or more traffic control signal violation hearing officers, other than police officers or persons who work in the police department, to conduct the hearings authorized by this section. (p) Any person who asserts a defense authorized by this section and who requests a hearing shall be given written notice of the date, time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be held not less than fifteen days or more than thirty days after the date of the mailing of notice, provided the hearing officer shall grant, upon good cause shown, any reasonable request by any interested party for postponement or continuance. An original or certified copy of the initial notice of violation shall be filed and retained by the municipality, be deemed to be a business record within the scope of section 52-180 of the general statutes and be evidence of the facts contained therein. A person wishing to contest such person's liability shall appear at the hearing and may present evidence on such person's behalf. The presence of the police officer who authorized the issuance of the citation shall be required at the hearing if such person so requests. A designated municipal official, other than the hearing officer, may present evidence on behalf of the municipality. If the person who requested the hearing fails to appear, the hearing officer may enter an assessment by default against such person upon a finding of proper notice and liability under the applicable ordinance or statute. The hearing officer may accept from such person copies of police reports, documents of the Department of Motor Vehicles and other official documents by mail and may determine thereby that the appearance of such person is unnecessary. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing in the order and form and with such methods of proof as the hearing officer deems fair and appropriate. The rules regarding the admissibility of evidence shall not be strictly applied,
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

LCO No. 1836

7 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242

but all testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation. The hearing officer shall announce the hearing officer's decision at the end of the hearing. If the hearing officer determines that the person is not liable, the hearing officer shall dismiss the matter and enter the hearing officer's determination in writing accordingly. If the hearing officer determines that the person is liable for the violation, the hearing officer shall forthwith enter and assess the fines, penalties, costs or fees against such person as provided by the applicable ordinances of the municipality. Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, a violation of section 14-299 of the general statutes detected and recorded by an automated traffic control signal enforcement device pursuant to section 2 of this act shall not: (1) Constitute an infraction or violation; (2) be processed by the Centralized Infractions Bureau; (3) be considered a moving traffic violation; (4) be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles for inclusion on a person's driving record; or (5) cause the assessment of points against the operator's license of the person found to have violated section 14-299 of the general statutes. Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) Not later than October 1, 2017, or twelve months following the date of implementation of an automated traffic enforcement safety device program by a municipality, each municipality that has installed such a device and has been operating such a program shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation. Such report shall include a comparison and analysis of: (1) The number of violations of section 14299 of the general statutes that occurred at the intersections where such automated traffic control signal enforcement devices were used, prior to and during the use of such enforcement devices; (2) the number and type of related traffic violations and accidents that occurred at such intersections prior to and during the use of such devices; and (3) the number of violations of section 14-299 of the general statutes and
{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

LCO No. 1836

8 of 9

Raised Bill No.

5458

243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252

related violations and accidents that occurred at intersections where such control signal enforcement devices were used and at similar intersections where such automated traffic control signal enforcement devices were not used. The report shall also describe situations in which (A) camera results could not be used or were not used; (B) the number of leased, out-of-state or other vehicles, including trucks, where enforcement efforts were unsuccessful; (C) the amount of revenue from fines retained by the municipality; (D) the cost of such program to the municipality; and (E) such other data or comparisons deemed of interest or importance by the municipality. This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 October 1, 2012 October 1, 2012 October 1, 2012 October 1, 2012 New section New section New section New section

Statement of Purpose: To authorize municipalities to use automated traffic enforcement safety devices.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

LCO No. 1836

{D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05458-R00-HB.doc }

9 of 9