BacktoBasics
05-21-2009, 10:05 AM
http://www.caller.com/news/2009/may/12/cameras-may-get-1-2-3-red-light-texas-leans-phasin/
CORPUS CHRISTI — If Texas lawmakers continue on a path to phase out red-light cameras, a dozen in Corpus Christi would be done away with in 2012.
An amendment to the state’s transportation sunset bill passed Monday by the House, would keep Texas cities from signing, renewing or extending contracts for red-light cameras after June 1.
And once existing contracts lapsed, red-light cameras in Texas would be no more.
The red-light amendment, introduced by Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., D-Corpus Christi, and Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, still needs Senate support and the governor’s signature to become law.
If it does, Corpus Christi’s cameras would go when the city’s five-year contract with Arizona-based public safety support company RedFlex Traffic Systems Inc. expires. The city began using cameras in April 2007.
Proponents of the cameras, including local police and city officials, say that they deter drivers from running red lights and causing serious accidents.
Detractors, including Ortiz, say that the cameras are moneymakers for municipal governments, but do little for public safety.
The red-light amendment is a fair way to get rid of the cameras that many Texans are against, said Chito Vela, general counsel for Ortiz.
“Cities have time to prepare for the end of the contracts and it gives them time to wean off of the revenue,” Vela said. “The vote on the amendment was 107 to 36. if that gives a sense of what members think of red-light cameras.”
Unlike the $150 red-light tickets given by police, the $75 tickets resulting from Corpus Christi’s cameras, are treated as civil violations comparable to parking tickets, not a moving violation which would go on your driving record.
While larger cities with red-light cameras such as Houston have made millions off of red-light citations, Corpus Christi got less than $130,000 in 2008, said Charlie Cardenas, the city’s traffic engineer. That profit came after paying the state a portion of the proceeds, which goes to regional trauma centers, and RedFlex, which provides the cameras. Under the terms of the contract approved in January 2007, the city pays RedFlex $584,000 annually in exchange for the company providing all equipment, installation and support costs.
Cardenas said drivers have gotten used to the cameras at high traffic intersections and the number of violations caught on film has fallen off, he said.
“After the first year, we did not see a lot of money,” Cardenas said.
The money earned from red-light camera tickets has been devoted to safety-related projects and equipment such as school zone flashers which cost $10,000 a piece, Cardenas said.
“Did we get a lot from it? Not really,” Cardenas said. “But something is better than nothing.
“If this happens law enforcement will have to kick it up a notch and be more vigilant at catching red-light runners. And as bad as things are (economically) that’s manpower that law enforcement does not have.”
Here it is again.
Cardenas said drivers have gotten used to the cameras at high traffic intersections and the number of violations caught on film has fallen off, he said.
“After the first year, we did not see a lot of money,” Cardenas said.
DOES EVERY FUCKING THING NEED TO BE ABOUT MONEY. What the fuck people. "Number of violations caught on film has fallen off". Fucking really.... and that's a bad thing? ISN'T THIS THE GOD DAMN FUCKING POINT. Less infractions less accidents less deaths. ITS WORKING YOU STUPID FUCKS. SORRY YOU CAN'T MAKE MILLIONS OFF IT BUT AT LEAST ITS SAFER OUT THERE.
I have no problems with these cameras. I live a block from one and I'll tell you first hand how bad that intersection was and its a million times better now. You have nothing to worry about if you aren't driving like a fucking jackass.
I'm so sick of these city people shitting on one thing or another. Fucking retarded. Yeah we get it okay. Bad driving equates to more revenue for the city. Fuck it lets just leverage all are lives on a little extra PROFIT. BECAUSE FUCKING PROFIT IS EVERYTHING. WE NEED MORE PROFIT. CAN I GET A SIDE OF FUCKING PROFIT WITH MY PROFIT....AND YEAH I'LL DRINK A LITTLE FUCKING PROFIT FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF PROFIT. PROFIT YOU AND YOUR PROFIT FUCKING FAMILY.
CORPUS CHRISTI — If Texas lawmakers continue on a path to phase out red-light cameras, a dozen in Corpus Christi would be done away with in 2012.
An amendment to the state’s transportation sunset bill passed Monday by the House, would keep Texas cities from signing, renewing or extending contracts for red-light cameras after June 1.
And once existing contracts lapsed, red-light cameras in Texas would be no more.
The red-light amendment, introduced by Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., D-Corpus Christi, and Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, still needs Senate support and the governor’s signature to become law.
If it does, Corpus Christi’s cameras would go when the city’s five-year contract with Arizona-based public safety support company RedFlex Traffic Systems Inc. expires. The city began using cameras in April 2007.
Proponents of the cameras, including local police and city officials, say that they deter drivers from running red lights and causing serious accidents.
Detractors, including Ortiz, say that the cameras are moneymakers for municipal governments, but do little for public safety.
The red-light amendment is a fair way to get rid of the cameras that many Texans are against, said Chito Vela, general counsel for Ortiz.
“Cities have time to prepare for the end of the contracts and it gives them time to wean off of the revenue,” Vela said. “The vote on the amendment was 107 to 36. if that gives a sense of what members think of red-light cameras.”
Unlike the $150 red-light tickets given by police, the $75 tickets resulting from Corpus Christi’s cameras, are treated as civil violations comparable to parking tickets, not a moving violation which would go on your driving record.
While larger cities with red-light cameras such as Houston have made millions off of red-light citations, Corpus Christi got less than $130,000 in 2008, said Charlie Cardenas, the city’s traffic engineer. That profit came after paying the state a portion of the proceeds, which goes to regional trauma centers, and RedFlex, which provides the cameras. Under the terms of the contract approved in January 2007, the city pays RedFlex $584,000 annually in exchange for the company providing all equipment, installation and support costs.
Cardenas said drivers have gotten used to the cameras at high traffic intersections and the number of violations caught on film has fallen off, he said.
“After the first year, we did not see a lot of money,” Cardenas said.
The money earned from red-light camera tickets has been devoted to safety-related projects and equipment such as school zone flashers which cost $10,000 a piece, Cardenas said.
“Did we get a lot from it? Not really,” Cardenas said. “But something is better than nothing.
“If this happens law enforcement will have to kick it up a notch and be more vigilant at catching red-light runners. And as bad as things are (economically) that’s manpower that law enforcement does not have.”
Here it is again.
Cardenas said drivers have gotten used to the cameras at high traffic intersections and the number of violations caught on film has fallen off, he said.
“After the first year, we did not see a lot of money,” Cardenas said.
DOES EVERY FUCKING THING NEED TO BE ABOUT MONEY. What the fuck people. "Number of violations caught on film has fallen off". Fucking really.... and that's a bad thing? ISN'T THIS THE GOD DAMN FUCKING POINT. Less infractions less accidents less deaths. ITS WORKING YOU STUPID FUCKS. SORRY YOU CAN'T MAKE MILLIONS OFF IT BUT AT LEAST ITS SAFER OUT THERE.
I have no problems with these cameras. I live a block from one and I'll tell you first hand how bad that intersection was and its a million times better now. You have nothing to worry about if you aren't driving like a fucking jackass.
I'm so sick of these city people shitting on one thing or another. Fucking retarded. Yeah we get it okay. Bad driving equates to more revenue for the city. Fuck it lets just leverage all are lives on a little extra PROFIT. BECAUSE FUCKING PROFIT IS EVERYTHING. WE NEED MORE PROFIT. CAN I GET A SIDE OF FUCKING PROFIT WITH MY PROFIT....AND YEAH I'LL DRINK A LITTLE FUCKING PROFIT FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF PROFIT. PROFIT YOU AND YOUR PROFIT FUCKING FAMILY.