Assigned to TTMC FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1680
traffic violations; photo radar; penalties
Purpose
Subjects a person to a civil penalty of $100 for a traffic violation and prohibits considering
the violation when determining a license suspension or revocation, insurance rates or insurability
if the civil penalty is paid, as prescribed.
Background
A photo enforcement system is a device substantially consisting of a radar unit or sensor
linked to a camera or other recording device that produces one or more photographs,
microphotographs, videotapes or digital or other recorded images of a vehicle's license plate for
the purpose of identifying violators of speed restrictions or traffic signs, signals and markings
(A.R.S. § 28-601).
If a person receives notice in the mail for a violation of state or local speed restrictions or
traffic control devices that is obtained using a photo enforcement system, the person does not have
to: 1) identify who is in the photo; or 2) respond to the notice of violation. The notice must state
that it is not a court-issued document, but failing to respond to the notice may result in official
service that may lead to an additional fee being levied. An alternative service of process may be
used to serve a citation. A person's driving privilege may not be suspended or revoked as a result
of a citation served by the alternative service of process (A.R.S. § 28-1602).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Subjects, to a civil penalty of $100, a person who is found responsible for a violation of state
traffic and vehicle regulations that is obtained from photo enforcement system.
2. Prohibits, if the person fully pays the civil penalty within 90 days after the finding of
responsibility, the following:
a) a state department or agency from considering the violation for the purposes of determining
whether the person's a license should be suspended or revoked; and
b) an insurer from considering the violation as a traffic violation against the person for the
purposes of establishing rates for motor vehicle liability insurance or determining the
insurability of the person.
3. Stipulates that an insurer is prohibited from canceling or refusing to renew any policy of
insurance because of the violation. FACT SHEET
S.B. 1680
Page 2
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 7, 2024
KJA/sdr