AZ - "Photo Enforcement" signs not at 0.5mi

[gig103]

I'm still relatively new to AZ, but I thought I was informed that Photo Enforcement vans need signs at 0.5mi and at 300ft, just like the permanent cameras.

But I'm noticing lately that they are putting the first sign way further than 0.5mi, like at 1mi and once, 1.3mi (nearly triple the distance). It seems like they are trying to fool people into slowing down for longer, or into forgetting that the camera is waiting for them.

In fact, I saw one where the sign was before an offramp, and the van was just as traffic merged. Not only was this distance nearly a mile, but the merging traffic (who are getting up to speed and possibly speeding from downhill onramps) purposely don't get the 0.5mi warning.

[Freebird]

All six I saw crossing west to east on I-10 this weekend were first sign at about a mile away other sign was about 1/4 mile away.

[zr1]

I don't know if it's a law or just a policy.

On the Southbound 51 some of the signs are way ahead of the camera trap. Also the mobile units with their ultra-low power K-band radar don't always have 2 signs out like the one that's been hanging out on the 202 San Tan West bound median all week long at about Kyrene.

[gpracer1]

28-654. Photo enforcement zones; signage; standards; citation dismissal

A. Except as provided in subsection F of this section, every local authority or agency of this state using a photo enforcement system shall adopt standards and specifications that indicate to a person operating a motor vehicle that a photo enforcement system is present and operational.

B. The standards and specifications adopted pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include both of the following:

1. At least two signs shall be placed in a location before a photo enforcement system. One sign shall be in a location that is approximately three hundred feet before the photo enforcement system. Placement of additional signs shall be more than three hundred feet before a photo enforcement system to provide reasonable notice to a person that a photo enforcement system is present and operational.

2. Signs indicating a photo enforcement system shall be removed or covered when the photo enforcement system is no longer present or not operating.

C. Signs erected by a local authority or agency of this state as prescribed in this section shall contain a yellow warning notice and correlate with and as far as possible conform to the system set forth in the most recent edition of the manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways adopted by the director pursuant to section 28-641.

D. If the standards and specifications prescribed pursuant to this section are not in effect during the operation of a photo enforcement system, the court may dismiss any citation issued to a person who is identified by the use of the photo enforcement system.

E. During the time a vehicle containing photo enforcement equipment is being used to identify violators of this article and article 6 of this chapter, the rear of the vehicle shall be clearly marked to indicate that the vehicle is functioning as a photo enforcement vehicle. This subsection does not apply to a vehicle that does not contain a photo enforcement system and that is used by a law enforcement officer.

F. Subsection B of this section does not apply to a mobile photo enforcement vehicle during the time a mobile photo enforcement vehicle is deployed on streets with a posted speed limit of forty miles per hour or less.

[gig103]

Thanks, GP! I didn't know how to look that up, so I appreciate you doing it for me.