• More than 13,400 citations have been issued to motorists along Bandera Road in Leon Valley since red light cameras began operations in early 2018, city officials say. There are now 14 cameras on Leon Valley streets. Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law Sunday that bans the cameras, but a city can continue to operate the cameras until its current contract with a camera vendor expires; for Leon Valley, that won’t happen until 2038. Photo: Staff File Photo
Photo: Staff File Photo
More than 13,400 citations have been issued to motorists along Bandera Road in Leon Valley since red light cameras began operations in early 2018, city officials say. There are now 14 cameras on Leon Valley streets. Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law Sunday that bans the cameras, but a city can continue to operate the cameras until its current contract with a camera vendor expires; for Leon Valley, that won’t happen until 2038.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a bill into law banning red-light traffic cameras in the nation’s second-largest state, but two local cities could keep them for decades under existing contracts.
The ban takes effect Sept. 1 but cameras can remain active until a city’s current contract for the system expires. In the San Antonio area, only the suburban cities of Balcones Heights and Leon Valley use them.

Leon Valley amended its contract with American Traffic Solutions in May to extend it from 10 year to 20 years, which could keep the cameras in place through May 2038 despite the new law.
Red-light cameras take images of vehicles entering intersections when red stoplights are lit. Drivers are usually fined $75-$100.
Nearly 50 Texas cities use the cameras, including Balcones Heights and Leon Valley.
Critics say red-light cameras are unconstitutional and contribute to traffic accidents. Supporters say red-light cameras help make streets safer and generate funds for cities and other government entities.
Former Balcones Heights Police Chief Darrell Volz has said the cameras are a “force multiplier” for the small department, helping the department stretch its resources. He said the city has had a 70 percent reduction in the number of accidents since installing the cameras in 2007.
Leon Valley, which first installed 11 cameras in January 2018, added three more in March. The city has issued 61,737 citations from February 2018 to February 2019, according to a presentation Police Chief Joseph Salvaggio made to the City Council in May.

The city has credited the cameras with reducing the number of accidents by 43 percent in the first 10 months of use.
The citations have brought in $900,000, Salvaggio said in December. While half the money goes to the state, the remaining money helped pay for four traffic officers, freeing up the department’s other officers for other duties, he said.
The new law also prevents counties and Texas officials from refusing to register a vehicle because of unpaid red-light camera tickets.

From staff and wire reports/mySA

Posted by The non-Conformist