BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2852 By: Mallory Caraway Urban Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Observers note that many motorists are being fined because they are unaware of where they need to stop before making a right turn at a red light. The observers report that before red light cameras were used in Texas, a motorist facing a red light needed only to stop before turning right to comply with the law. However, it is noted that if a red light camera is installed at an intersection, a motorist facing a red light and intending to turn right must first stop at a clearly marked stop line or, in the absence of a stop line, stop before entering a crosswalk to avoid being fined. To eliminate confusion and create greater transparency in the law, H.B. 2852 seeks to require the installation of a sign at an intersection with a red light camera to indicate where the operator of a vehicle must stop before turning right if the light is red and turning right is permissible. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B.2852 amends the Transportation Code to require a municipality to install a sign at each intersection at which a photographic traffic monitoring system is in active use and at which turning right is permissible as provided by provisions of law relating to traffic control signals. The bill requires a local authority to install a sign at each intersection at which a photographic traffic signal enforcement system is in active use and at which turning right is permissible as provided by provisions of law relating to traffic control signals. The bill requires such signs to indicate the location at which the operator of the vehicle must stop the vehicle when facing a steady red signal to comply with those provisions of law. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2011
BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 2852
By: Mallory Caraway
Urban Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Observers note that many motorists are being fined because they are unaware of where they need
to stop before making a right turn at a red light. The observers report that before red light
cameras were used in Texas, a motorist facing a red light needed only to stop before turning right
to comply with the law. However, it is noted that if a red light camera is installed at an
intersection, a motorist facing a red light and intending to turn right must first stop at a clearly
marked stop line or, in the absence of a stop line, stop before entering a crosswalk to avoid being
fined. To eliminate confusion and create greater transparency in the law, H.B. 2852 seeks to
require the installation of a sign at an intersection with a red light camera to indicate where the
operator of a vehicle must stop before turning right if the light is red and turning right is
permissible.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B.2852 amends the Transportation Code to require a municipality to install a sign at each
intersection at which a photographic traffic monitoring system is in active use and at which
turning right is permissible as provided by provisions of law relating to traffic control signals.
The bill requires a local authority to install a sign at each intersection at which a photographic
traffic signal enforcement system is in active use and at which turning right is permissible as
provided by provisions of law relating to traffic control signals. The bill requires such signs to
indicate the location at which the operator of the vehicle must stop the vehicle when facing a
steady red signal to comply with those provisions of law.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2011