Texas votes to ban red light cameras statewide

[dne]

The Texas state house voted 107-36 earlier this month to ban red light cameras statewide. The bill will now go to the state senate for a vote, where it is expected to pass. Local news has noted that red light cameras generally do not generate the revenue that they are supposed to and tend to cause more rear-end accidents. They were put up here several years ago, I am not sure when, and there seem to be more every day. The are required to be well signed in advance, and there is a big camera icon on a sign before you reach the intersection.

The bill allows for cities who have red light contracts to keep them until they run out. Of course, cities are extending 5 year contracts with red light camera operators to insane lengths. Arlington (pop 450,000) just extended its red light contract to 20 years last week after the house vote.

[dne]

Ha, evidently the TV station took it down, I posted a new link - sorry about that.

It is a bit ridiculous but the vitriolic hate against red light cameras is so pervasive here I bet lots of elected city officials will be getting voted out. And, not all cities are extending their contracts, so far just two out of 60-or-so in the region.