Senate joins House, votes to abolish red-light cameras

The Texas Senate voted Friday to ban red-light cameras statewide, all but sealing the fate of the automated devices that are used by Austin and dozens of other cities.

House Bill 1631 next goes to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has previously announced his opposition to the cameras, which snap photos of traffic violations at marked intersections, leading to mailed tickets that typically carry a $75 fine.

Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, said the cameras violate due process by assuming that the infraction was committed by the registered owner of a vehicle "when in fact that is not always the case."

Hall also pointed to about two dozen studies that he said concluded that the cameras increase collisions at intersections, though supporters of the devices referred to other studies showing that they tend to reduce dangerous T-bone collisions.

Advocates argue that the red-light cameras reduce deadly collisions at intersections with 24-hour surveillance that frees patrol officers to concentrate on other duties.

Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, said local officials are better placed to make safety-related decisions.

"Are you saying we should determine from here what is now safe, reasonable and prudent, to substitute our judgment for cities?" Seliger asked.

"I'm saying," Hall replied, "that when we see practices that are adverse to the benefit of the citizens, our responsibility here is to represent the citizens, not the cities."

Across Texas, red-light cameras generate almost $39.6 million a year in fines, according to an analysis by the Legislative Budget Board. Half of the money goes to the state to help fund hospital trauma centers, and half stays with the city to pay for traffic safety and public safety programs.

Thanks to a separate bill, Hall said, trauma centers would not lose money if the cameras are abolished.

HB 1631 would allow cities to continue operating red-light cameras until current contracts with camera operators expire. However, Hall said, cities would not be able to continue with contracts that have opt-out language canceling the agreement if red-light cameras are banned.