UPDATE: This bill has not moved forward in this legislative session and will receive no further consideration by this session of the legislature. The Nevada legislature convenes every other year for 120 days. The next session is in 2021.
Red light and speeding cameras up until now have been prohibited in Nevada. Current law requires that cameras recording such information be attached to manned patrol cars at intersections or on the roadways. A bill is making its way through the Nevada legislature which, if passed, will have significant effects on driving laws in Nevada, and some say will have an adverse effect on civil liberties.
Red Light and Speeding cameras current status
We’ve covered red light and speeding cameras previously in this blog and for the last 20 or so years, these devices, which some of our neighboring states, such as Arizona, have used during that time, have been prohibited in Nevada. We promised to keep you informed if this law changes, and as of February 4, 2019, Senate Bill 43 (SB43) was read into the record. This bill is in the early stages and will require full passage by the legislature and signature by the governor to become law.
If passed, SB43 will allow local governments to install unmanned traffic light and speed cameras under certain circumstances. These cameras are attached to a radar detector which scans the roadway, and if a vehicle either runs a red light after the light changes, or if the vehicle is breaking the speed limit, a camera is triggered, which takes a photo of the front of the vehicle and shows the license number. A ticket is then mailed to the owner of record of the vehicle, which is required be paid out under normal court procedures.
Currently 23 states and the District of Columbia allow speeding and red light cameras, but many states have found that the devices may actually cause more problems than they solve and are moving to repeal the laws allowing them.
Is this an infringement of Civil Liberties?
Many have protested that the use of automated camera triggered devices as evidence in a criminal matter is an infringement of civil liberties. Amendment VI of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of the people to be confronted by witnesses against them in a criminal case. In these cases, there really is no witness, only a machine.
Other arguments against camera triggered devices have to do with loaning your vehicle to someone else, perhaps a family member or friend, but having the criminal penalty go to the registered vehicle owner regardless of who is driving the vehicle.
Of course, those in favor of these devices site the needs of society, such as having safe roadways, as a justified override of those liberties. Metro has come out in favor of these devices.
Make your Voice Heard
What do you think? Should Nevada install automated traffic cameras to send tickets in cases of speeding and red light running? Make your voice heard during this period while the law is still being debated. The bill is still in committee and has not come to the floor for a vote yet. Contact your state legislator and express your opinion.
Ticket Busters will fight your Traffic Ticket
If you get a ticket in Las Vegas or surrounding Clark County Nevada, Ticket Busters can represent you with the court to fight your ticket. We can negotiate with the court and in most cases have your charges converted to the equivalent of a parking ticket, saving you time with the court, points on your driving record, and increases in insurance premiums. Call us today at: (702) 666-6666.
Learn More:
https://www.legiscan.com/NV/bill/SB43/2019
