Texas voters reject use of traffic cameras

Maria

Diet Coke
Staff member
Voters in two Harris County, TX, cities have effectively put a stop to traffic camera programs.

With 53 percent support, Houston voters decided to turn off traffic cameras that are intended to punish drivers for speeding and running red lights. In fall 2006 the city posted 70 cameras at 50 intersections deemed to be most likely for accidents. Since then, nearly $44 million in fines have been collected.

Fines are $75 with revenue primarily designated for hospital trauma centers and the Houston Police Department.

Despite the vote to shut off the cameras it could be a while before the program is shuttered. Since the election city officials have said their contract with the Arizona company managing the system requires a 120-day notice of cancellation. In the meantime, the cameras are expected to continue to snap photos of traffic violations.

The mayor’s office said closing down the program would mean a $10 million a year hit to the city’s budget. Critics of the devices point out that the city made no mention of concerns about public safety.

In the nearby city of Baytown, 58 percent of voters gave the thumbs up to a proposition that prohibits use of traffic cameras to issue tickets for a traffic violation without a police witness. It is expected that the city will not post officers at every intersection, and instead stop using the cameras.

source
 

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