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HB 189

Harmful communication-minors.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Abby Angelos and 8 co-sponsors

HB 189 requires red-light cameras enforce only after intersections have engineer-signed, MUTCD-compliant yellow and red clearance intervals per the plan of record.

S COW:Failed 4-26-1-0-0
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Bill Summary · HB 189

Summary — HB 189: Red Light Camera Delay Interval

Status: Introduced (North Carolina, 2025 session) — Effective 60 days after enactment
Subject areas: Roads & Highways; Traffic Offenses; Traffic Cameras; Traffic Control Devices

Main purpose

HB 189 clarifies when a red‑light camera citation may be issued by defining the timing elements that constitute a violation and requiring minimum signal timing standards for intersections monitored by traffic‑control photographic systems. The bill is intended to ensure signal timing (yellow and red clearance intervals) is engineered, documented, and consistent with national standards before automated enforcement is applied.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new subsection to G.S. 20‑158 that governs the use of traffic control photographic systems.
  • Defines a camera‑detected violation as when:
    • A vehicle enters and proceeds into the intersection after the onset of a steady circular red or steady red arrow, and
    • The applicable red clearance interval has expired.
  • Requires that all traffic signals equipped with photographic enforcement be designed with an appropriate red clearance interval.
  • Requires the duration of the yellow change interval and the red clearance interval at intersections with cameras to be no less than the durations specified on the traffic signal "plan of record" — that plan must be signed and sealed by a professional engineer licensed under Chapter 89C.
  • Requires compliance with the most recently adopted Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for yellow and red clearance durations.
  • Scope: applies to any enforcement of G.S. 20‑158 by photographic systems, including municipal programs authorized under G.S. 160A‑300.1 and related statutes.
  • Effective date: 60 days after the act becomes law.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities and state agencies that operate or authorize red‑light camera programs.
  • Traffic engineers and engineering firms (must prepare and sign/seal signal plans).
  • Vendors and operators of traffic control photographic systems (may need to adjust camera timing/algorithms).
  • Road users (drivers) — impacts when citations can validly be issued.

Likely impacts and considerations

  • Procedural: jurisdictions must ensure signal timing plans of record exist, are signed/sealed by a licensed professional engineer, and that yellow/red clearance intervals used for enforcement meet or exceed those documented and MUTCD guidance.
  • Operational: potential need to audit or reprogram signal timing, update camera detection logic, or delay enforcement until compliance is verified.
  • Legal/administrative: strengthens a defense for motorists if enforcement occurs where required timing or signed plans do not exist or comply with MUTCD; may reduce disputed citations.
  • Safety: aims to align automated enforcement with engineered signal timing to promote fair enforcement while preserving safety objectives of proper yellow/red durations.

Practical next steps for jurisdictions

  • Verify or create an up‑to‑date signal plan of record for camera‑monitored intersections.
  • Confirm yellow and red clearance timings meet MUTCD guidance and are documented.
  • Coordinate with licensed professional engineers and camera vendors to update enforcement parameters before issuing citations under photographic systems.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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