Houston turns red-light cameras back on
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 1:13pm
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 17 years
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http://blog.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2011/07/city-turns-red...
The city of Houston turned its red-light cameras back on today, Mayor Annise Parker announced after this morning’s City Council meeting.
Houston voters approved a referendum to turn off the cameras in November, but a federal judge ruled last month that it had been improperly placed on the ballot, rendering the results invalid. As a result, the city faced a choice to turn the cameras back on or canceling its contract with American Traffic Solutions, which could cost the city $16 million.
Related links
$16 million
$16 million penalty..
how nice the contract is.. which should have been void in first place.
Red-light cams a life saver? Vendor says yes
http://blog.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2011/07/city-turns-red...
Fines to follow return of Houston's red-light cameras Read more
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7642466.htm...
Red-light cameras will resume issuing citations "in the very near future," Mayor Annise Parker announced on Wednesday, reversing last November's voter mandate to remove the devices that had issued 800,000 tickets during the previous four years.
contract
$16 million penalty..
how nice the contract is.. which should have been void in first place.
wasn't that the contact extension they rushed through when they found out the petition was going to be on the ballot???
RLC AND THE WINNER IS
Voters - Loose money
City - Lucky is they break even
Contractor - $$$$$$$$$$$$$ Cha Ching!
The Citizens of Houston
The citizens of Houston should oust their representative, mayor, ... the whole lot to tell them of their displeasure.
When people get angry enough about poor representation & theft, they do something - not just sit back & take it.
I recommend destroying a traffic camera each week. Just kidding.
Fred
There is hope
The citizens of Houston should oust their representative, mayor, ... the whole lot to tell them of their displeasure.
There is hope. Our city council changed its mind and backed out of a pilot contract last year. Fortunately it was before installation, so the penalty was only $2,000.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/hillsboroargus/2010/04/hillsboro_...
If you don't like what they're doing (or want to encourage the things they're doing right), write to your representatives at all levels. Let them know what you want, and remember their choices when they run for reelection.
Redlight poi file
Meanwhile let's turn the POI's back on for our redlight cams please:
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/33682
Thank you.
Std. Nuvi 205 & Custom Nuvi 750 with 16GB SDHC - find me on discussions.virtualdr.com ... and the XDA Developers forum ... always playing with my gadgets :-) My "personal" IT support: www.bitmedics.com
Houston can't appeal red-light ruling for now
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7645636.htm...
A judge rules that Houston can't appeal ruling invalidating vote that turned off red-light devices.
Red Light Cameras
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7645636.htm...
A judge rules that Houston can't appeal ruling invalidating vote that turned off red-light devices.
How nice I wonder if he works for the red light camera company also.
too close
It's good that they're turning them back on. If it costs them 16 mil to do so, doesn't sound like it's all about the conspiracy theory of making $$$ for the city. It was once the 4th largest city in the nation, 16 mil. isn't even close to the end of the world for them. Their budget is in the 4 bil. range.
yes!
$16 million penalty..
how nice the contract is.. which should have been void in first place.
--The WHOLE thing just SUX, from start to finish!!!
~Jim~ Nuvi-660, & Nuvi-680
Other cities have different way
Looks like officials are learning from this referendum mess. And prefer not to let thing out of hand and permit any citizen to have a say about RLCs. Like city of Longview, Washington.
After losing fifteen straight ballot contests, photo enforcement companies and their customers have redoubled efforts to keep camera issues from ever being presented to voters. On May 23, Mike Wallin had submitted 3628 signatures from voters wanting the camera issue to be decided at the next citywide election. Instead of forwarding the signatures to the county auditor for verification as required by law, the city council decided to file suit against Wallin on June 7.
source: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/35/3529.asp
A new RLC idea!
There is new use for RLC's (this time from Europe, but it may gain in popularity if brings enough money).
...officials in Valencia, Spain have begun issuing photo tickets to drivers who are moving "too slow." (...) The notice sent to Llorens demanded payment of 200 euros (US $290) for traveling "at an abnormally reduced speed without just cause, obstructing the progress of another vehicle." The fine drops to 100 euros (US $145) if paid early as an enticement for people to pay rather than fight their tickets in court.
from: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/35/3523.asp
O indeed, how well we are being protected.
no faster, no slower
There is new use for RLC's (this time from Europe, but it may gain in popularity if brings enough money).
...officials in Valencia, Spain have begun issuing photo tickets to drivers who are moving "too slow." (...) The notice sent to Llorens demanded payment of 200 euros (US $290) for traveling "at an abnormally reduced speed without just cause, obstructing the progress of another vehicle." The fine drops to 100 euros (US $145) if paid early as an enticement for people to pay rather than fight their tickets in court.
from: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/35/3523.asp
O indeed, how well we are being protected.
when the sign says 30mph, you have to drive as instructed, no faster, no slower, or ready to say CHEESE!
Driving too slow...
Should have that in Houston too. Driving along at 45-50mph (in a 45 zone), often traffic has to avoid someone going 30 (for whatever reason) in the middle lane.
Obstruction of traffic should equal a fine just like excessive speed.
Std. Nuvi 205 & Custom Nuvi 750 with 16GB SDHC - find me on discussions.virtualdr.com ... and the XDA Developers forum ... always playing with my gadgets :-) My "personal" IT support: www.bitmedics.com
Yes, But ...
Yes but cameras can't make that kind of decision whether a person is actually moving too slow. It may be a transient circumstance. Only a police officer can make such a judgement.
Govt, in fear of raising taxes directly & it's likely result at election time, is by-passing that in favor of "its the traffic camera" to raise revenue.
I really wonder how long it will take the public to wake up to what's being done & get rid of their elected officials who support such crap.
Fred
When Will Red-Light Camera Tickets Be Issued?
http://www.click2houston.com/news/28597073/detail.html
The cameras were turned back on July 6 after a federal judge ruled that a proposition on the ballot violated the city charter. Since then, City Hall has announced twice that Houston police were ready to begin issuing tickets only to later retract those statements.
For now, the red-light camera system is storing video that police will eventually review for violators.
just stop the tickets?
As a result, the city faced a choice to turn the cameras back on or canceling its contract with American Traffic Solutions, which could cost the city $16 million.
Could Houston just stop issuing tickets even with cameras on? Maybe aim the cameras backwards? There must be a way to be within the letter of the contract without having to pay the camera company.
So, sue me!
Looks like officials are learning from this referendum mess. And prefer not to let thing out of hand and permit any citizen to have a say about RLCs. Like city of Longview, Washington.
After losing fifteen straight ballot contests, photo enforcement companies and their customers have redoubled efforts to keep camera issues from ever being presented to voters. On May 23, Mike Wallin had submitted 3628 signatures from voters wanting the camera issue to be decided at the next citywide election. Instead of forwarding the signatures to the county auditor for verification as required by law, the city council decided to file suit against Wallin on June 7.
source: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/35/3529.asp
Show up with a petition for validation - and immediately get sued. Maybe they should also sue the 3000+ persons who signed the petition...just to make their point clear.
Seems like these camera companies and their customers are trying to modify human behavior in areas other than just red lights.
Houston's red-light camera tickets starting Sunday
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7663772.htm...
Houston police will resume issuing civil violations to motorists for running red lights at 12:01 a.m. Sunday at the 70 intersections monitored by surveillance cameras, Police Chief Charles McClelland said on Thursday.
Houston: Drivers may see even more red-light cams
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7663772.htm...
While announcing the return of citations on Sunday, HPD's chief says he plans to add more of the surveillance devices in the future.
Houston red light cameras begin issuing tickets
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8267...
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The red light cameras were already on, but they are in full effect as of 12:01am Sunday.
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~Jim~ Nuvi-660, & Nuvi-680
I like ...
As a result, the city faced a choice to turn the cameras back on or canceling its contract with American Traffic Solutions, which could cost the city $16 million.
Could Houston just stop issuing tickets even with cameras on? Maybe aim the cameras backwards? There must be a way to be within the letter of the contract without having to pay the camera company.
--I like the way you think!
- - - There MUST be a way - - -
~Jim~ Nuvi-660, & Nuvi-680
Me too!
As a result, the city faced a choice to turn the cameras back on or canceling its contract with American Traffic Solutions, which could cost the city $16 million.
Could Houston just stop issuing tickets even with cameras on? Maybe aim the cameras backwards? There must be a way to be within the letter of the contract without having to pay the camera company.
--I like the way you think!
- - - There MUST be a way - - -
I too agree!!
nightrider --Nuvi's 660 & 680--
HOUSTON, TX: ATF, city to cancel contract
http://www.click2houston.com/news/Settlement-could-end-red-l...
Settlement could end red light cams fight
ATF, city to cancel contract
In the agreement, the city would pay American Traffic Solutions, the company that installed the cameras, nearly $4.8 million to cancel the contract between the two sides.
City scheduled to vote on red-light camera settlement
http://www.click2houston.com/news/City-scheduled-to-vote-on-...
HOUSTON -
Mayor Annise Parker and City Council members are scheduled to vote Wednesday on a proposed final settlement with red-light camera company American Traffic Solutions.
However, there could be a new hurdle that prevents city leaders from approving the settlement as planned.
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling Tuesday that gives leaders of the 2010 red-light camera referendum a right to intervene in the battle between the city and ATS.
Red-light camera settlement delayed
http://blog.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2012/01/red-light-came...
A settlement between the city of Houston and its red-light camera has been delayed for two weeks.
City Council voted Wednesday to wait two weeks before deciding whether to approve payments of at least $4.8 million to American Traffic Solutions in exchange for taking the cameras down within 60 days and dropping its breach of contract claims against the city.
...
I guess if settling this was...
I guess if settling this was done sensible and efficiently... they would not be able to call it bureaucracy!
Sarcastically, I say, let's hear it for bureaucracy!!
~Jim~ Nuvi-660, & Nuvi-680
yupp!
--That's how I see it too!
nightrider --Nuvi's 660 & 680--
Are these things - - -
Voters - Loose money
City - Lucky is they break even
Contractor - $$$$$$$$$$$$$ Cha Ching!
Are these things still on???
This post (above) pretty much tells the whole story!
~Jim~ Nuvi-660, & Nuvi-680
they are off in Houston
locally I see that the hardware has even been removed.
Good!
locally I see that the hardware has even been removed.
Good!
Thank you for letting us know-
~Jim~ Nuvi-660, & Nuvi-680
Good!
Good!
nightrider --Nuvi's 660 & 680--