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Red light camera vote looms

Supporters of College Station's red light cameras say they're a matter of safety.

Opponents say the issue's all about rights.

This week, voters in the city will begin the process of settling the matter.

Early voting begins Monday on a ballot measure that would ban the cameras from the city. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Voters across the state are also being asked to decide the fate of 11 proposed amendments to the state's constitution.

The red zone

College Station Mayor Pro Tem Dave Ruesink said the overwhelming majority of people he's heard from on the issue are in favor of keeping the cameras.

"I've had a lot of people tell me that they got a $75 ticket for a rolling stop but will still vote in favor of it," he said.

Ruesink said there is a lot of misinformation about the red light cameras, such as the notion that the city sees them as a tool to make money.

"That is not at all the reason we incorporated the camera system to begin with," he said. "We are watching the uses very carefully, of course, to be sure we're in the lawful use of the money."

Ruesink said the city's portion of the money collected from the caught-on-camera citations goes toward safety measures that would not otherwise be funded.

The cameras, which began snapping pictures of red light runners in February 2008, are operated through a long-term contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions.

Revenue from the cameras -- more than $1.4 million so far -- is split between the state and the city, with the state's portion going to fund trauma centers. The city spends its half on transportation improvements, such as LED traffic signals, battery-powered backups to operate the signals when power goes out and pedestrian crossing timers.

The city has collected more than $435,000 from camera-issued citations since the program began.

Crossing the line

The cameras activate when a vehicle enters the intersection after the signal turns red. The camera records two images and a 10-second video to document the violation, which is reviewed by a police officer and, if warranted, a citation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Drivers have 30 days to pay the $75 fine or request an administrative adjudication hearing, or face a $25 late fee.

The law assumes the owner of the vehicle is driving when the violation occurs, so the owner of the vehicle is responsible for paying the fine even if he wasn't driving. The law allows the transfer of liability only if the identified owner didn't own the vehicle at the time the violation occurred, the owner is in the business of renting or leasing vehicles, or if the vehicle was stolen, according to the city's Web site.

A different light

Two groups have formed to lobby for voter support: Take Back Your City was created after red light camera critic Jim Ash collected enough signatures to send the measure to the ballot, and Keep College Station Safe, which is led by a consultant hired by American Traffic Solutions.

Take Back Your City member Cliff Eggers said he worked with Ash to collect signatures during the petition drive and thinks voters should have had a say in the matter from the beginning.

Eggers said he opposes the cameras because residents have been stripped of their due process rights to trial and appeal.

"I think it's a gateway to other infractions on your constitutional rights," Eggers said,

Emily Reiter, the leading voice of residents in favor of the red light cameras, said members of Keep College Station Safe have been busy trying to spread the word about the value of the cameras.

"This is such a matter of safety for our community," she said. "It's obviously making a better and safer community for all of us."

The cameras only have to save one life to be worthwhile, she said.

"We really can't let a vocal minority dictate what happens," she said.