Texas House Bill HB2779

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of a local government to impose a civil penalty for certain failures to obey a traffic-control signal.

Impact

If enacted, HB2779 would expand local governments' powers to enforce traffic laws through photographic enforcement systems. This could lead to increased enforcement of traffic regulations, which advocates argue may improve road safety by discouraging red light violations. Given that these penalties would be imposed through local ordinances, it allows for a tailored approach depending on the unique traffic situations faced by different municipalities. This flexibility could potentially enhance compliance with traffic laws across the state.

Summary

House Bill 2779 proposes an amendment to the Texas Transportation Code that grants local authorities the ability to impose civil penalties for violations of traffic-control signals, specifically those that involve running a red light. The bill outlines that when a vehicle is operated in violation of the instructions of a traffic-control signal, as long as the governing body of the local authority implements this through an ordinance, the vehicle owner may be liable for a civil penalty. Notably, the bill also specifies that no penalties may be applied to vehicles turning right at intersections, thereby providing a clear exemption in these scenarios.

Contention

While the bill may have the goal of improving traffic safety, it may also encourage controversy around the implementation of such penalties. Critics might argue that the introduction of civil penalties could lead to a revenue-raising mechanism that focuses on monetizing traffic violations rather than genuinely enhancing public safety. There might also be concerns regarding equitable enforcement, as lower-income individuals may find it disproportionately burdensome to pay such penalties. The debate around the bill could center on the balance between local governance autonomy in traffic enforcement and the potential consequences for residents.