Palm Tree may use traffic-light cameras with local and state approval

Palm Tree may adopt a local law allowing cameras to record traffic-light violations at two intersections. The two locations are Forest Road at Van Buren Drive and Bakerstown Road at Dinev Road and Israel Zupnik Drive. The town must get written approval from the state Department of Transportation, which may later change or withdraw its approval. While the program operates, the town must report yearly on crashes, tickets, fines, costs, and how ticket disputes were handled. The law takes effect 30 days after its August 14, 2026 signing. It and any local law adopted under it expire December 31, 2030.

An approved camera program may charge vehicle owners up to $50 per violation and up to $25 more for failing to respond. The rules cover vehicle owners charged through the approved program. These charges do not count as driver convictions, enter driving records, or affect vehicle insurance. Owners owe no penalty if the driver was convicted of the same violation or drove without their consent. The rules presume the driver had consent. Owners have a defense if the vehicle was reported stolen before the violation and remained unrecovered, or if the traffic signal was malfunctioning. A rental or leasing owner can shift responsibility to the renter by sending the required contract and information within 37 days after receiving the bureau's or court's notice. Mailed notices must explain how and when to contest charges. Missing that deadline counts as admitting responsibility and may lead to a ruling requiring payment.

Palm Tree must use technology to keep camera photos from identifying people or contents inside vehicles as far as practical. The photo requirement covers drivers, passengers, and vehicle contents. People contesting charges must be allowed to inspect the recorded evidence. A ticket cannot be dismissed solely because a photo identifies vehicle contents if the town made a reasonable effort to meet the photo privacy requirement.