City's Out To Enforce Its Red Lights

[ricco67]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/m...politan/2930777

Dec. 4, 2004, 2:10AM

City's out to enforce its red lights

A controversial plan to install cameras at risky intersections will be considered

By RON NISSIMOV

Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

The city soon may give the green light to a plan for using cameras to nab drivers who run red lights.

Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel said Friday that the city has concluded it can issue civil citations, even though the Texas Legislature overwhelmingly voted in 2003 to deny cities the power to issue criminal citations based on camera enforcement.

Michel's ruling paves the way for the City Council to vote on whether to install cameras at intersections with high accident rates. The council is expected to vote on the matter Dec. 15, and the cameras could be in place two months after that, officials said.

"The Houston Police Department last year recorded more than 5,000 accidents caused by motorists running red lights," said Mayor Bill White, who wants to install the cameras. "People overwhelmingly in our community complain about the lack of enforcement at red lights. It's a better idea to use technology rather than taking police officers out of patrols to sit at intersections."

But the idea has drawn fire from privacy advocates, and may face further opposition in the Legislature.

State Rep. Gary Elkins of Houston, who led opposition to allowing the use of cameras at intersections during the 2003 session, said there would be "overwhelming support" in the upcoming 2005 session to pass a law prohibiting Texas cities from using cameras for traffic-light enforcement.

If Houston installs the cameras, it will join more than 100 other cities in 20 states that use them, including the three cities that are larger than Houston

[Lowbrow]

So then I might have to read those spam emails that say they can make sure you never get one of those tickets.....