RI 2026 S3228aa: Motor and Other Vehicles - Automated Traffic Violation Monetary Systems

Plain-English Summary

This bill extends the time that cities and towns in Rhode Island are allowed to use automated traffic cameras to catch drivers who block intersections. Previously, the use of these "Don't Block the Box" cameras was set to expire on January 15, 2027. This legislation pushes that expiration date back by three years, to January 15, 2030. It also maintains strict privacy rules, ensuring the camera footage is only used for traffic enforcement and cannot be sold or shared without a warrant.

For younger readers

Sometimes, drivers get stuck in the middle of an intersection when the light turns red, which blocks other cars from moving. This is called "blocking the box." Cities use special cameras to take pictures of cars doing this so they can give the drivers a ticket. The rule letting cities use these cameras was supposed to end in 2027. This bill changes the end date to 2030, so cities can keep using the cameras for three more years. The bill also makes sure the pictures are kept private.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

MotoristsLocal municipalitiesPrivate traffic enforcement companiesLaw enforcement agenciesDepartment of Transportation

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The bill includes explicit privacy protections and requires a judicial warrant for sharing data, which safeguards against Fourth Amendment (unreasonable search and seizure) concerns.

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Improves public safety and traffic flow in busy urban areas by deterring drivers from blocking intersections, which creates safer environments for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users.
Maintains strong civil liberties and privacy protections by explicitly prohibiting the tracking of individuals and the selling or sharing of data to third parties without a judicial warrant.
Prevents predatory profit motives by ensuring that private companies operating the camera systems are paid based on equipment value rather than the volume of tickets issued, protecting low-income drivers from revenue-driven policing.
Extends a punitive, fine-based system that can disproportionately burden low-income individuals who may struggle to pay the traffic tickets.
Prolongs the use of automated surveillance technology in public spaces, which can contribute to a sense of over-policing in urban and marginalized communities.
Relies on penalizing drivers rather than investing in systemic infrastructure improvements or better public transit to solve the root causes of traffic congestion.

For Conservatives

Promotes law and order by providing municipalities with effective tools to enforce traffic laws and penalize drivers who illegally block intersections.
Supports private enterprise by allowing local governments to contract with private corporations to provide, operate, and maintain the automated traffic detection systems.
Protects citizens from government overreach by mandating strict privacy rules, including requiring a judicial warrant before any data can be shared with other government agencies.
Extends the use of automated government surveillance cameras, which many conservatives view as an intrusive infringement on personal liberty and freedom of movement.
Restricts corporate freedom by prohibiting private companies from negotiating performance-based or revenue-sharing contracts for the camera systems.
Maintains strict bureaucratic oversight by requiring local municipalities to get approval from the unelected state department of transportation director before installing the cameras.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

2 versions

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 24 additions · 6 deletions

SECTION 1. Section 31-41.2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.2 entitled "Automated Traffic Violation Monitoring Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows: 31-41.2-3. ~~Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective until January~~ ~~15, 2027.]~~ Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective until January 15, 2030.]

(a) The state department of transportation and the municipalities of this state are hereby authorized to install and operate automated traffic violation detection systems. Such systems shall be limited to systems which monitor and detect violations of traffic control signals. For purposes of this chapter an automated traffic violation detection system means a system with one or more motor vehicle sensors which produces images of motor vehicles being operated in violation of traffic signal laws. A municipality shall be permitted to install, at up to no more than three (3) designated “Don’t Block the Box” intersections within the municipality, an automated traffic detection system to monitor violations of § 31-15-12.2; provided, however, that the provisions allowing such “Don’t Block the Box” monitoring shall sunset on January 15, ~~2027~~ 2030, at which time such use as provided in this section shall no longer be permitted.

(b) No automated traffic violation detection system shall be installed pursuant to this section which has not been approved for use by the director of the state department of transportation. The director of the state department of transportation shall promulgate regulations for the approval and operation of said systems pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency and accuracy. All systems installed for use under this chapter must be able to record the image of the vehicle and the license plates of the vehicle.

(c) In the event that the system is to be installed other than by the state department of transportation on state-maintained streets or roads, the director of the department of transportation must approve such installation.

(d) The state department of transportation and/or the municipalities may enter into an agreement with a private corporation or other entity to provide automated traffic violation detection systems or equipment and to maintain such systems.

(e) Compensation to a private entity that provides traffic signal monitoring devices shall be based on the value of such equipment and related support services, and shall not be based on the revenue generated by such systems.

(f) Use of the images or video captured by an automated traffic violation monitoring system shall be restricted to enforcement of the traffic violation and shall not be used to track individuals or vehicles for any purpose. All recorded images or video shall be destroyed or retained consistent with the provisions of § 31-41.2-8.

(g) Absent a judicial warrant, the images, recordings, metadata, license plate information, or other information collected by, or obtained from, an automated traffic violation monitoring system shall not be sold, shared, or transferred to any third parties, including other government agencies, by the department of transportation or municipalities except for enforcement of the traffic violation. 31-41.2-3. ~~Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15,~~ ~~2027.]~~ Automated traffic violation monitoring systems. [Effective January 15, 2030.]

(a) ~~The~~ Effective January 15, 2030, the state department of transportation and the municipalities of this state are hereby authorized to install and operate automated traffic violation detection systems. Such systems shall be limited to systems which monitor and detect violations of traffic control signals. For purposes of this chapter an automated traffic violation detection system means a system with one or more motor vehicle sensors which produces images of motor vehicles being operated in violation of traffic signal laws.

(b) No automated traffic violation detection system shall be installed pursuant to this section which has not been approved for use by the director of the state department of transportation. The director of the state department of transportation shall promulgate regulations for the approval and operation of said systems pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. Systems shall be approved if the director is satisfied they meet standards of efficiency and accuracy. All systems installed for use under this chapter must be able to record the image of the vehicle and the license plates of the vehicle.

(c) In the event that the system is to be installed other than by the state department of transportation on state-maintained streets or roads, the director of the department of transportation must approve such installation.

(d) The state department of transportation and/or the municipalities may enter into an agreement with a private corporation or other entity to provide automated traffic violation detection systems or equipment and to maintain such systems.

(e) Compensation to a private entity that provides traffic signal monitoring devices shall be based on the value of such equipment and related support services, and shall not be based on the revenue generated by such systems.

(f) Use of the images or video captured by an automated traffic violation monitoring system shall be restricted to enforcement of the traffic violation and shall not be used to track individuals or vehicles for any purpose. All recorded images or video shall be destroyed or retained consistent with the provisions of § 31-41.2-8.

(g) Absent a judicial warrant, the images, recordings, metadata, license plate information, or other information collected by, or obtained from, an automated traffic violation monitoring system shall not be sold, shared, or transferred to any third parties, including other government agencies, by the department of transportation or municipalities except for enforcement of the traffic violation.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.