Red Light Camera backlash grows in Texas as states ban them

L-R: Red Light Camera in Balcones Heights

Public support for the use of red light cameras in Texas and across the country appears to be waning even as Waco prepares to install the cameras.

The Dallas Morning News reported Monday that three states banned red light cameras last year while six others have considered similar proposals.

In Texas, voters forced College Station to take down its cameras last fall while opponents in Houston say they have enough petition signatures to put the cameras to a vote this fall. Killeen’s red light cameras went online in 2008 and the city started issuing citations at the end of May that year.

Cameras were installed at Central Texas Expressway and Stan Schlueter Loop Central Texas Expressway and W.S. Young Central Texas Expressway and Trimmier Central Texas Expressway and 195 Trimmier and Lowes Blvd.

The Waco City Council voted in February 2009 in favor of a city ordinance that would allow the installation of the cameras to photograph red-light runners, who would then be billed by mail for the $75 fine, but temporarily delayed plans to wait to see what lawmakers would do. In May, the Waco City Council gave City Manager Larry Groth the green light to talk with red-light camera vendors.

Camera opponents in the Texas Legislature say they plan again to try to pass a measure phasing out the cameras statewide, but cities using the red camera systems, which capture images, and sometimes video of drivers running red lights, insist they have reduced intersection accidents and saved lives.

Editor's Note: Balcones Heights is the only suburb in Bexar County that hosts Red Light Cameras. Walker Report Publisher/Editor & Judge Steve Walker was the only then BH Councilman to vote against the installation of the cameras based on constitutional concerns, the state would take half the money collected, threat of lawsuits and violators not paying the fines. According to Walker, all three concerns have come to pass. Walker Report will continue to follow the issue.