HB548 - Prichard Red Light Safety Act

• Authorizes the City of Prichard to use automated photographic traffic signal enforcement systems to detect and penalize red light violations as civil violations rather than criminal offenses.

• Vehicle owners are presumptively liable for civil violations recorded by the system and must pay civil fines up to $100 plus court costs; owners may contest liability within 15 days of notice of violation by requesting a hearing in Municipal Court.

• Requires the city to post warning signs at minimum 10 roadway entry points and within 60 yards of monitored intersections, conduct public awareness campaigns 30 days before operation, and maintain statistical data on violation effectiveness reported annually to the Department of Transportation.

• Establishes Prichard Municipal Court jurisdiction over violations with appeal rights to Mobile County Circuit Court for trial de novo; provides affirmative defenses including stolen vehicles, police officer direction, emergency vehicles, and improper signal visibility.

• Permits vehicle owners who pay civil fines to pursue civil action against the actual vehicle operator for reimbursement plus damages and attorney fees after providing 60-day written demand for payment.