Still more red light cameras coming

With Governor Perry expected to sign the bill to authorize red light cameras (SB1119), expect to see them pop up in places outside of Houston soon, if they're not already there.

Montgomery County Commissioners Court approved red-light cameras in The Woodlands in April, and the devices were installed at two intersections in May. In the first two weeks of operation the cameras caught more than 600 violators, Precinct 3 Commissioner Ed Chance said. In June, the cameras have recorded 336 more, he said.

Chance, whose precinct includes most of The Woodlands, said cameras were installed at the intersections to gather information about traffic movement in the master-planned community and ''to show state legislators the severe problem with people violating traffic lights."

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Elsewhere, officials in Sugar Land and Humble are studying possible sites for cameras. Humble's cameras could be working by August, and Sugar Land's police chief said the city's system should be ready by September.

Both cities, Sugar Land in Fort Bend County and Humble on the northern fringe of Harris County, are crossed by major highways carrying heavy traffic.

Humble City Manager Darrell Boeske said cameras probably will be installed at five intersections there. He said a likely spot for a camera is at FM 1960 and the U.S. 59 service road.

"About 90 percent of our accidents happen on those two streets," Boeske said.

Sugar Land officials are still determining where the cameras will be installed.

Three highways, U.S. 90A, U.S. 59 and Texas 6, cross the city.

Police Chief Steve Griffith said a probable spot for one camera would be at U.S. 59 and Texas 6, in the heart of the city's business district.

Like 'em or not, they appear to be here to stay, even with a sunset clause of sorts in the final bill. Look for the signs, and be ready when the light turns yellow.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on June 15, 2007 to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles