Glad to see they're doing this. The Senate has less than a month to get it passed, and I hope they do.
A town I live near has 4 (four way) traffic lights total and two of them (8 lights) have red light cameras.
Originally they couldn't get a contract with any of the camera companies because the potential revenue from the cameras would be too low. Somehow they finally found a company to install and operate them. Red light cameras are not about safety and reducing collisions. They're installed entirely for generating revenue.
A town I live near has 4 (four way) traffic lights total and two of them (8 lights) have red light cameras.
Originally they couldn't get a contract with any of the camera companies because the potential revenue from the cameras would be too low. Somehow they finally found a company to install and operate them. Red light cameras are not about safety and reducing collisions. They're installed entirely for generating revenue.
AUSTIN -- A midnight decision in the Texas House may doom hundreds of red-light cameras operating across Texas.
Video
An amendment by State Rep. Gary Elkins (R-Jersey Village) would hand control of the cameras to the Texas Department of Transportation, away from the municipalities that currently operate them. In addition, the changes would bar TxDOT from adding new cameras to the system, and would require the state to refuse the renewal of any existing red-light camera contracts.
Supporters of the amendment say this would lead to the eventual phase-out of all cameras in the state.
Lawmakers approved the amendment just after midnight Friday morning, during a hours-long debate over changes to TxDOT’s administrative structure.
Houston operates cameras at 70 intersections, and a study commissioned by Mayor Bill White claims that the cameras have helped cut down on rear-end accidents at those intersections.
Frank Michel, a spokesman for White, told 11 News Friday that the city is directing its legislative team to urge members of the Texas Senate to vote against the proposal when it reaches that chamber later this month. Michel said the city of Houston believes the cameras have proven themselves to be an important tool for traffic safety.
Michael Kubosh, a Houston attorney who deliberately drove through a red-light camera intersection in order to get a ticket, said he was pleased at the Texas House vote.
“I’m thrilled,” he said. “This is what we’ve been hoping for.”