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Senate advances substitute limiting photo radar to school and low-speed residential zones after contentious debate
Summary
After extended floor debate on revenue, accuracy and insurance impacts, the Senate advanced Substitute Senate Bill 8 (photo radar restrictions) to third reading on a 17–10 vote; the substitute limits photo radar use to school zones and residential streets posted 30 mph or less and directs further work on insurance-point reporting.
The Utah Senate on Jan. 26 advanced a substitute to Senate Bill 8 that would sharply limit municipal photo radar programs to school zones and residential streets posted at 30 mph or lower, after protracted debate about local control, fairness, vendor contracts and the bill’s effect on drivers’ insurance records.
Senator Reese, who carried the measure, told colleagues the substitute retains operational safeguards while restricting where photo radar may be used. Supporters said the narrower scope would focus the technology on proven safety needs, such as school zones and neighborhoods where placing officers is impractical. Opponents argued the policy should be left to local governments; others warned the restriction could encourage municipal re-posting of speed limits to allow broader photo radar deployment.
Debate raised several recurring concerns: that private vendors had captured large shares of revenue under early contracts, that many citations went to nonresidents (one senator cited an 80% nonresident citation rate in a jurisdiction), and that vendor-supplied accident-reduction figures had been overstated in some local reports. Multiple senators urged changes to ensure photo-radar citations would not automatically add points to driving records or increase insurance premiums; Senator Reese said he was open to addressing the insurance reporting issue on third reading.
A recorded roll call advancing the substitute to third reading showed 17 ayes, 10 nays and 2 absent. Senators also used procedural motions related to Substitute Senate Bill 54 and computer-driven substitution mechanics; the floor agreed to return to some items after technical fixes.
