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Utah House rejects red‑light camera bill after heated debate over safety and due process
Summary
House Bill 13, which would have authorized photo enforcement at traffic signals, failed 31‑40. Supporters cited crash reductions and lives saved; opponents raised due‑process and municipal revenue concerns and offered revenue‑sharing amendments that were debated and defeated.
The Utah House on Feb. 20 voted down House Bill 13, a measure to authorize photo detection enforcement at traffic signals, by a vote of 31‑40 after more than an hour of debate.
Representative Benjamin Carnahan (as introduced on the floor) framed the bill as a traffic‑safety tool. He told colleagues that "traffic accidents from running red lights are increasing and 1 out of 5 of those is a death," and urged support based on observed safety improvements in installations.
Opponents pressed constitutional and practical concerns. One member characterized automated enforcement as shifting the role of accuser to a machine, stating, "Auto radar makes you guilty. You're guilty until proven innocent." Other opponents warned municipalities could treat cameras as revenue generators; several amendments proposed redistributing revenue to the state transportation fund or limiting local retention, and the body debated but ultimately did not adopt an amendment to divert excess revenue.
The House declined to pass the measure after multiple floor amendments and a division call to verify counts. The bill failed and was filed; sponsors did not secure an amendment or a committee referral during the floor session.
Next steps: With the bill failed on final passage, proponents may consider revised language addressing due‑process safeguards and revenue allocations before reintroduction.
