Red light camera tickets, in Texas. herein discussed are civil rather than criminal. They are not Class "C" misdemeanors as are red light citations issued by a police officer.
I attended a seminar a while back, and one of the speakers had played a large role in shutting down these cameras in several California cities. What I gathered from this speaker was two things. First, red light cameras do not make intersections safer. In fact, in some instances, the cameras make intersections more dangerous. Second, the best way to make intersections safer is to lengthen the yellow light cycle.
If the installation of red light cameras is truly about public safety, then we must ask the following:
Since lengthening the time of the yellow light cycle has been shown to make intersections safer, then why wouldn't a city try doing so before deciding whether or not to install red light cameras?
Answer: No cameras, no revenue. Because even if increasing the length of the yellow light proved to make the intersection safer than the installation of a camera, it would not generate revenue, which is what the city wants. The city would have absolutely no interest in conducting a test which would probably prove that anything, other than a red light camera, would make an intersection safer. In fact, the city would have more of an interest in suppressing any such test.
Why isn't community service available to a citizen as a means to pay the fine on a red light camera ticket as it is for tickets issued by an officer?
Answer: Because the city wants money, not community service.
One recurring argument for red light cameras is that the cameras free up police officers from certain traffic stops so that they can address other more important issues. This is ridiculous. Does this mean that the officers will be able to concentrate more on homicide, rape and theft? Of course not. Everyone knows the the traffic stop is a primary tool for law enforcement in the detection of more serious crimes.
The camera company gets a significant share of the money from each ticket generated. Red light camera companies are basically travelling sales shows going from city to city peddling their wares, as are other industries which target local and state governments such as light rail or toll road systems. While some cities have done away with red light cameras, the camera companies keep prospecting cities where they have not yet been. They may be coming to a town near you if they haven not done so already.
Wake up. It is about revenue, not public safety. The cameras are basically a vending machine for for the partnership between the city and the company with the red light camera contract.
Charles French was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1991. The majority of his practice includes the Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts in Houston, Harris County and surrounding counties. You may visit his website by going to:
