Vehicles: speed photoimaging enforcement devices.

Existing law establishes a basic speed law that prohibits a person from driving a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent given the weather, visibility, traffic, highway conditions, and in no event at a speed that endangers the safety of persons or property. Existing law authorizes the use of automated traffic enforcement systems to monitor stops at specified locations, such as limit lines and intersections, but does not expressly authorize the use of automated speed enforcement in this state. The bill would authorize a local authority to use a speed photoimaging enforcement device, as defined, to enforce speed limits in a school zone. The bill would prescribe requirements for the operation of a speed photoimaging enforcement device, including, among other things, notice to the public, issuance of citations, and confidentiality of data. The bill would create an administrative proceeding for persons to pay or contest a citation captured by a speed photoimaging enforcement device and a procedure to appeal an adverse decision. The bill would impose a civil penalty for a violation. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.