ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
photo radar; speeding
violations; reports
Allows a judge to use
discretion in forwarding to the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) the record for a
photo radar speeding violation of no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed
limit.
Photo radar is a system that
incorporates a computer, two cameras and an independent testing unit that, when
used correctly, can identify the speed, license plate and driver of a motor
vehicle. The first camera is used to
identifiably photograph the driver of the vehicle while the second camera is
used to photograph the license plate.
The computer processes the passing speed of the vehicle by utilizing the
ability to input various independent characteristics of the selected radar
site, which helps to compute speed and identify the driver of the motor vehicle
under various circumstances.
MVD currently uses a point
system to assess varying traffic violations.
A speeding violation incurs three points on an individual’s driving
record. According to the Arizona
Administrative Code, after the accumulation of eight points, the individual’s
driver license is suspended for a minimum of three months.
Currently, Arizona statute
permits law enforcement officers to use photo radar to enforce traffic
laws. As with any other traffic
violation, the citation is forwarded to MVD where the appropriate points are
applied to the driver’s record. This
legislation allows a judge to decide whether to forward the record to MVD in a
photo radar violation less than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. In the event that a judge decides to
withhold the record from MVD, the driver must still pay the designated
fine.
There is no fiscal impact to
the state general fund associated with this legislation.
1. Permits a judge to use discretion in forwarding the record to MVD in photo radar speeding cases where the violation is not in excess of 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
2. Defines photo radar as a device that utilizes a photograph of a motor vehicle and an electrical wave mechanism used to gauge the speed of a motor vehicle.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 29, 2001