House of Representatives

HB 2277

red lights; violations; procedures

Sponsors: Representative Voss, Senator Richardson: Representative Carpenter et al

X	Committee on Judiciary
	Committee on Transportation
	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

HB 2277 makes changes to Arizona civil traffic violation law and authorizes service of process of civil traffic complaints via first class mail.

History

Current law provides for a cap of $250 for drivers who run a red stoplight or stop sign. Nor is there currently a fine for drivers making a left turn who fail to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

Arizona law does provide for a fine of up to $500 for failing to stop at a red light, for failing to yield to oncoming traffic while waiting to turn left within an intersection, or for failure to stop at a stop sign if the failure results in an accident causing serious physical injury, and up to $1000 if a resulting accident results in death. For each of these violations, the court is currently authorized to order up to 40 hours of community service.

Issuing authorities currently have 30 days to commence action of a civil traffic violation case, and may serve process on the person charged by delivering a copy of the citation to the person charged or by any means of service of process authorized by the rules of civil procedure.

Provisions

· Requires drivers at a red light to stop behind the leading edge of the first crosswalk or safety zone line prior to entering any controlled intersection. A violation of this provision subjects the driver to a minimum penalty of $250.

· Provides for a minimum penalty of $250 for failure to stop at a flashing red stoplight.

· Increases the maximum fine for failing to stop behind the crosswalk at a red light, for failing to yield to oncoming traffic while waiting to turn left within an intersection, or for failure to stop at a stop sign if the failure results in an accident causing serious physical injury. Serious physical injury is defined as physical injury which creates a reasonable risk of death, or which causes serious and permanent disfigurement, serious impairment of health or loss or protracted impairment of the function of any bodily organ or limb. Requires the court to order up to 40 hours of community service by the person responsible for the traffic violation.

· Increases the maximum fine for failing to stop behind the crosswalk at a red light, for failing to yield to oncoming traffic while waiting to turn left within an intersection, or for failure to stop at a stop sign if the failure results in an accident causing death. Requires the court to order up to 40 hours of community service by the person responsible for the traffic violation.

· Requires the Arizona Department of Transportation to suspend the driver license or permit of a driver who fails to successfully complete traffic survival school training and education sessions or the court-ordered community service.

· Creates a minimum $250 penalty for a driver who fails to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

· Creates a minimum $250 penalty for a driver who fails to stop at a stop sign.

· Increases the time for the issuing authority to file a civil traffic violation from 30 to 60 days.

· Allows service of civil traffic complaints by first class mail.

· Makes technical and conforming changes.

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· 45th Legislature

· First Regular Session 2 January 29, 2001

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