The bill, HB 778, aims to regulate the use of unmanned automated speed enforcement devices in school zones by prohibiting the imposition of penalties when certain conditions are not met. Specifically, it states that if a driver is not exceeding the posted speed limit immediately prior to entering a school zone, and if school zone signs are not present at both the entrance and exit of the zone, then speeding citations cannot be issued. Additionally, the bill retains existing laws that prevent authorities from installing automated speed enforcement devices on interstate roadways and maintains exceptions for construction zones managed by the Department of Transportation and Development.

The Conference Committee Report indicates that certain Senate amendments were adopted while others were rejected. The adopted amendments include a provision that restricts the use of electronic speed enforcement devices to equipment located on state or local authority right-of-way. The rejected amendments would have introduced a rebuttable presumption regarding the presence of school zone signs and addressed the use of wireless telecommunication devices by drivers, among other changes. Overall, the bill seeks to clarify and limit the circumstances under which automated speed enforcement can be applied in school zones.

Statutes affected:
HB778 Enrolled: 32:43(A)(1)
HB778 Act 722: 32:43(A)(1)