LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Traffic cameras to catch drivers in the act of running red lights would be allowed under a bill introduced Tuesday at the Nevada Legislature.
Assembly Bill 402 (AB402) makes an exception to state law against punishing drivers for violations detected by a traffic camera. Construction zones and other “temporary traffic control zones” would be the only places where enforcement using cameras would be allowed, and the bill requires an officer to review the evidence.
If you’re caught running a red light, a citation could be issued — but it wouldn’t be classified as a moving violation, so it wouldn’t count as points against your license.
AB402 is sure to meet heavy resistance from civil liberty advocates who argue that the government is just out for the money that would be generated by tickets. The citation would be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, who may or may not be the driver at the time of the violation. The registered owner could challenge the ticket — by ratting out the driver. They could also argue that their vehicle was stolen if they file a police report.
Democratic Assem. Selena Torres-Fossett introduced the bill. She represents Assembly District 3 in Clark County.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has pushed for the cameras before.
Another provision of the bill ensures that if an officer stops a driver and writes a ticket, there wouldn’t be a second penalty because of the violation caught by the traffic camera.
