The Round Rock City Council voted to end the red light camera program in the city Oct. 8[/caption]
The Round Rock City Council unanimously voted to end its contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, the company that operates red light cameras in the city, on Oct. 8.
Council members said the program was not curbing drivers who run red lights in the city, which was the intention of the program.
"I was one of the real proponents when we did this. I think we had a problem and still have a problem," Mayor Alan McGraw said. "About the time we did this is when the legislature started taking the teeth from [red light camera enforcement]."
Council Member Kris Whitfield said the intention of the program was never for the city to collect money from it.
"We knew we wouldn't be getting any money or much money [from red light cameras]," Whitfield said. "The statistics have shown it's not making a difference."
Drivers who receive a citation through the red light cameras are not obligated to pay the fines because it is a civil rather than criminal offense.
Redflex representative Andrea Czajkowski said other cities in the state have had success with the Scofflaw program, which allows cities that enroll in it to prevent those who received citations from registering their vehicle in counties that also participate in the program. Williamson County does not participate in the Scofflaw program.
Round Rock Police Chief Alan Banks said officers will do targeted enforcement of the intersections the cameras will be removed from. He said the department has also made videos discouraging drivers from running red lights and will spread them on social media.
The Round Rock City Council voted to end the red light camera program in the city Oct. 8[/caption]
The Round Rock City Council unanimously voted to end its contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, the company that operates red light cameras in the city, on Oct. 8.
Council members said the program was not curbing drivers who run red lights in the city, which was the intention of the program.
"I was one of the real proponents when we did this. I think we had a problem and still have a problem," Mayor Alan McGraw said. "About the time we did this is when the legislature started taking the teeth from [red light camera enforcement]."
Council Member Kris Whitfield said the intention of the program was never for the city to collect money from it.
"We knew we wouldn't be getting any money or much money [from red light cameras]," Whitfield said. "The statistics have shown it's not making a difference."
Drivers who receive a citation through the red light cameras are not obligated to pay the fines because it is a civil rather than criminal offense.
Redflex representative Andrea Czajkowski said other cities in the state have had success with the Scofflaw program, which allows cities that enroll in it to prevent those who received citations from registering their vehicle in counties that also participate in the program. Williamson County does not participate in the Scofflaw program.
Round Rock Police Chief Alan Banks said officers will do targeted enforcement of the intersections the cameras will be removed from. He said the department has also made videos discouraging drivers from running red lights and will spread them on social media.
