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College Station May Add More Red Light Cameras Save Email Print
Posted: 4:10 PM Jul 29, 2008
 Last Updated: 4:10 PM Jul 29, 2008
 Reporter: Meredith Stancik
Email Address: stancik@kbtx.com
46 comments
A | A | A

More red light cameras could soon be popping up around College Station.

The city says it has asked the red light camera vendor to survey about 40 possible College Station intersections. City officials say the vendor will likely do that in the fall, once students return to school.

According to the city's website, the next phase of cameras will be installed at intersections along Texas Avenue and State Highway 6. Texas Avenue carries an estimated 52,000 vehicles per day and intersects four other state roadways each carrying an average of 30,000 vehicles daily. These locations were not included in the initial study because Texas Avenue was under construction.

It could be a while before you see a new red light camera in town, after the vendor makes a selection, it must go before the city council, before it's approved.

Right now there are four intersections in College Station with red light cameras.

They are currently installed at the intersections of:
1) Texas Avenue at Walton Drive
2) Harvey Road at Munson Avenue
3) Harvey Road at George Bush Drive East
4) Wellborn Road at George Bush Drive

For more information, click on the link below.
http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=2762
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Posted by: Debbie on Aug 11, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I don't understand how the red light cameras will work. If a ticket is issued based on a photo taken and ownership of the vehicle in question, how do they know who was driving? What if I let someone borrow my car and they run through an intersection with a red light camera? Do I get ticketed for their offense since it's my car in the photo taken?
Posted by: Burger Time Location: Atari on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Don't run red lights and you nothing to worry about.
Posted by: to Jason Location: ourfaircity on Aug 1, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I'm glad you are one of the safe motorcyclists out there. Personally, I can't count the number of times I've seen bikes popping wheelies, driving at excessive speeds and going in and out of traffic to get ahead just b/c they can fit though unbelievably dangerous. But face it. The cameras are not going to help make the streets safer. I was in traffic last night waiting at a red light when the person driving in the next lane saw me inch up to the crosswalk line, apparently they thought I was easing up to go when the light was in fact still red and they went right through the red light ALONG WITH the car behind them following aimlessly, crossing a full intersection. It was amazing to me that there was no accident thankfully. A ticket is not going to make the road safer especially since I know that these tickets, if unpaid, do not go on your record. They only get sent to your credit report for nonpayment. Driver education and frequent road testing is probably a better alternative.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 1, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Victor says, Has anyone been blinded at night with a flash from these cameras?If U have astigmatism like me,it can temporarily blind you. So you never drive when there's a chance for lightning?
Posted by: "Charlie Brown" Location: Brazos County on Aug 1, 2008 at 06:07 PM
We need cameras at all intersections with traffic lights and stop signs. About two weeks ago my wife and I started a game when we are in the car together. I get a point if the car in front of us does not stop at red lights or stop signs, she gets a point if they do stop. So far the score is Me - 67, my wife 9 (two of those stopped because another car was making a left turn in front of them). A camera would have caught at least 67 violations while my wife were in our car together, we don't keep score when we are alone. By the way, I stop on 'Yellow' lights, on red before turning right and all stop signs. So I would appreciate it if the next time you wave at me at an intersection, you would use all your fingers.
Posted by: Michelle Location: CS on Aug 1, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Some people are never happy!! If all the cops were catching red light runners, then you would be hollering, go catch some real criminals and leave me alone. So the city finds a way to free up the police from idiot red light runners (to get the real criminals) and now you are hollering the police are lazy and not doing their job. The only people crying about the cameras are the ones running red lights, and the majority are probably college kids, so yes they should have the cameras close to the university. I agree with anonymous, pull the pacifier out of these college brats mouths and make them accountable for their actions. The parents and students are quick to blame the police when the students do something illegal. You can bet your a**, if I started getting tickets in the mail from my kid, no matter for what, they would lose their car quick and be on a bicycle immediately.
Posted by: Fred Location: Bryan on Aug 1, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Let's face the real reason for red light cameras...REVENUE pure and simple. They make no difference to me, but tell the truth about why you want to use them. They are just like the motor cycle police. If they grab you there is a ticket on the way. Yes, you broke the law and deserve one, but even DPS will issue a warning. I have never received a ticket from a motorcycle officer and have never talked to anyone who has that did not get a ticket. Let's just be honest about why they are being installed.
Posted by: TO DB Location: College Station on Aug 1, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Unfortunately, common sense can not be legislated. There is no cure for stupid. Darwin is our only hope. These idiots that eat, chat on the phone, drive drunk, etc, etc, are playing Russian roulette. Lets just hope they don't take an innocent person with them when they check out.
Posted by: REUBEN Location: BRYAN on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:54 PM
FINE, IF USED FOR ITS PURPOSE AND NOT TO INFRINGE IN OUR PRIVACY OR USED FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSE, LIKE RACIAL PROFILING. SOMETIMES GOOD INTENTIONS ARE RULED ONLY BY THOSE THAT INFORCE THEM.
Posted by: LMAO! on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:56 PM
HAHA LMAO @ Criminal.
Posted by: To Victor on Jul 31, 2008 at 06:51 PM
"just an idea.what if the city uses a time-delay on all traffic lights.This way, if a car did cross the red light,the adjacent traffic lights would still be Red for about 5-10 seconds" So let me get this straight; you want to reduce the time for each green from 20 seconds (which lets 10 cars through the intersection) to 15 or 10 seconds (which lets 5 or 6 cars through). And you really think that reducing the number of vehicles per hour that can get through the intersection by half is somehow going to improve the traffic situation? "Has anyone been blinded at night with a flash from these cameras?" Since I don't run the lights, even the ones that don't have cameras out of respect for the folks that have the green, I've never had that problem. And to DW: The monitored intersections ARE marked with signs...
Posted by: DB Location: Bryan on Jul 31, 2008 at 04:17 PM
ED, What is the difference between eating while driving and talking on the cell phone? If you pass a law about cells, then pass a law about eating, shaving, putting on makeup, etc. People should just use common sense.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 31, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Parents complaining about having to pay the tickets for the student. If you own the car, the ticket will come to you. What is wrong with making your kid pay for it? I bought my first car with my first job and my mom would have never paid for a ticket. Same as if they come here and get busted for marijuana, get put on scholastic probation, don't you make them handle that? Solution could be taking the pacifier out of their mouth when they leave home and let them be adults. Run a red light-pay the ticket, DWI-go to jail, wreck the car-pay for it. Can't afford it then stay at home. Some of us are tired of hearing the student whine everytime they think they may be targeted.......STOP BREAKING THE LAW!!!! You would be surprised at how many students try to use that Aggie Ring that they are so proud of to try to get out of things with a fellow aggie that happens to be a cop. That ring entitles you to nothing!
Posted by: Jimmy Location: College Station on Jul 31, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Before deciding to add more cameras the Council should look at the reason for people running the red lights and maybe adjusting the timing of the lights to see if this could correct the problem. To place the survey for more cameras in the hands of the company who is going to make thousands of dollars from each additional camera is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. Take a guess as to what the result of their survey is going to be. The survey should, and the very least, be placed in the hands of an independent company with no connection to the city or camera company ( Both of which stand to make a lot of money from additional cameras)
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 31, 2008 at 03:03 PM
They have had these in California for years the only difference is the California legislature had the guts to say tha you have to be able to prove who is driving the car, in other words you can't ticket the owner of the car if they are not driving. Guess what, it became too expensive to operate because you had to have four cameras at each intersection and most of the photos could not identify the driver enough to make a positive id stand up in court.
Posted by: Criminal Location: I'm Not Going to Tell on Jul 31, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I love this! Those red light cameras keep a cop or two occupied while I do my thing. The police are focusing on petty red light runners while I take care of my business. HA HA HA! Thanks College Station police. You guys give me job security. Keep up the good work! HA HA HA HA!
Posted by: Paul Location: CSTX on Jul 31, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Good to know that our local government is taking another step towards turning CS into a police state...
Posted by: JW Location: College Station on Jul 31, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I think this is a great idea!!! With the crime rate going up, this could free up some of our law enforcement to pay attention to the areas in our city that need the attention!
Posted by: ED Location: brazos on Jul 31, 2008 at 11:01 AM
There also should be a law not letting people use their Cell's while driving as well... Then maybe they will pay more attention to the dang road and others around them & not get a ticket for running a red light!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bob Location: Texas Ave on Jul 31, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Nedd more for safety!!
Posted by: Victor Location: College Station on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:06 AM
just an idea.what if the city uses a time-delay on all traffic lights.This way, if a car did cross the red light,the adjacent traffic lights would still be Red for about 5-10 seconds.I am sure these timers exist. OR,Why not install timers,like the ones on the crosswalks on university drive,that can visibly be seen from the road.This way, a car traveling can make the judgment if they have less than 5 seconds,they can slow down and stop for the red light.Im sure the visible timers are much less in cost than adding cameras and safer.Has anyone been blinded at night with a flash from these cameras?If U have astigmatism like me,it can temporarily blind you. these are just ideas, the whole point was for public safety and awareness.Why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars just to fine people. I would rather use that money and hire some more traffic cops and if someone did pass the red light(with one of my ideas active)then the motorist would have no excuses,and possibly face a higher fine.
Posted by: DW Location: College Station on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Why not make everyone aware of the problem? Just install one camera and not disclose the location? Also, make the fine $,1000.00! Change locations once a month---what would you do then?
Posted by: old smelly pants Location: bcs on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:05 AM
More cameras and more police in college station northgate area. College Station Northgate area is nasty, trashy, hud, projects, unkept lawn and huge over growth of weeds. If you dont think so, drive down around first street and old college area. YUK
Posted by: DB Location: Bryan on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:00 AM
I wish Bryan would get the cameras. The only people the cameras target are those that run the red lights. If you don't like them, you must be one of those that run them!
Posted by: cs resident on Jul 31, 2008 at 06:44 AM
i am ashamed a being a cs resident...this is about money...nothing else, I don't care what anyone says
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:17 PM
You people supporting these lights are the same gullible fools that respond to email from Nigerian heiresses. College Station red light cameras exist for one purpose and one purpose only: revenue. Lots more revenue. And the bums at College Station City Hall want even more. I defy College Station to produce evidence that these cameras have made a substantially safer traffic environment.
Posted by: Registered Voter Location: College Station on Jul 30, 2008 at 01:44 PM
First it was issuing citations for taking garbage that people have bagged and placed for pick up. Now it is more red light cameras. What will the tax and spend socialist radicals on city council think of next to redistribute existing wealth instead of creating new wealth? You already pay enough in taxes. These greedy SOB's are taking your hard earned money and blowing it on projects that will buy the votes of stupid people and HUD rats. If you oppose this remember which incumbents voted for this on election day.
Posted by: Jason Location: Bryan on Jul 30, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I am all for these cameras at all the intersections with stop lights. I ride my motorcycle through College Station all the time and am astonished at how many people think that they and their schedules are more important that the safety of other drivers/riders on the road. I cannot count the number of times I have alomst been destroyed due to some idiot blowing a red light. There are people of every age group, ethnic background and social class that blow red lights. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and quit feeling "targeted" because you fail to realize there are others on the road and get popped by one of these cameras! Perhaps if the majority of people caught running red lights weren't students, then students wouldn't feel targeted. There are non-students that travel through those intersections as well and get the same tickets for blowing lights! If the parents of the students get the tickets then they should have a serious talk about their child's driving habits. Safety 1st!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:32 AM
If I started getting red-light tickets for my college student driving my car, you can be SURE they'd be held accountable. Folks, this is not about students or not, it's about where the traffic is, and where people run red lights. That's why they are going to SURVEY a bunch of intersections to see where the trouble is. The camera doesn't care if it is a student, a father, or a delivery driver who runs the red light. It's illegal, and they will get a fine. What's to argue? We should not enforce red lights near campus just because there might be students driving by? That makes no sense. And don't look now, but I drive down Harvey road every day, and I haven't been a student in decades.
Posted by: Roger Location: Texas on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM
So what is wrong with slowing down a little? There is no requirement that one must wait in the middle of an intersection on a green light while traffic goes by then make a left turn on yellow and possibly get ticketed. One can wait at the stop line and if traffic doesn't clear turn on the green arrow at the next light change. One often has to wait for three or four light changes to turn at George Bush anyway what's one more? People from many bigger cities are used to camera law enforcement when they come here so they drive 5 to 10 miles per hour below the speed limit already. Relax and be safe. Go with the traffic flow and don't try to force things. In other words,"Drive defensively."
Posted by: LW Location: Bryan on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:02 AM
As we look at the camera footage we see the main violaters are the right turn on red vehicles. CS and KBTX could do us all a favor and run some educational footage that reminds us to STOP FIRST then TURN RIGHT. I've asked several drivers what the law is and most have answered it incorrectly. "You can turn right on red", most didn't know that you had to stop first.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bryan on Jul 30, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Is it not obvious that the City is after the students? Look at the intersections the camera's are already at. Only at the intersections mostly students would be driving through. Now they're going to put up more around the University, not where they should be.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 30, 2008 at 09:31 AM
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Posted by: tired on Jul 30, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Oh whaaaaa! I'm tired of the posts here and other places about students being targeted by CSPD. Guess what students, if you don't break the law you won't get a ticket. You're a target only if you make one of yourself.
Posted by: forethought Location: cs on Jul 30, 2008 at 08:36 AM
the students aren't permanent residents. They don't pay taxes here..... almost all of them don't even register their vehicle here, therefore they don't "pay" to drive on our roads like the rest of us. The people who do pay taxes here are having to pay for this.
Posted by: Eric Location: Bryan on Jul 30, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Lazy police work that penalizes the owner of the vehicle not the driver. College Station finds yet another way to bill the parents of college kids. The person that breaks the law should be the one that is held accountable. Ridiculous.
Posted by: Wow Location: CS on Jul 30, 2008 at 07:55 AM
"City officials" probably say that because having a full fall semester's worth of additional traffic makes an impact on traffic flow. Gee, that makes sense, doesn't it? (Unlike a lot of the people who post here, it shows some knowledge and forethought).
Posted by: old smelly pants Location: bcs on Jul 30, 2008 at 07:15 AM
No not in Bryan please. Everyone around knows that your beloved city of college station milks the students and their parents. We in bryan love all the new girls every year, the rednecks and Emo guys, not so much. As for the girls (i get older, they all stay the same age).
Posted by: Woody Location: College Station on Jul 29, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Wow! did you hear that??? City officials say the vendor will likely do that in the fall, once students return to school. I think we know what the city wants and who its after to make the big $$$. The city and the vendor should be ashamed of themselves. I bet there saying the recycle program isn't going well but the income from the cameras will make up for it. The truth ladies and gentlemen.
Posted by: Smile you're on camera Location: CS on Jul 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Hmmmm... I imagine the existing red light cameras are paying for themselves as well or better than expected. The city would be foolish to not install more cameras (especially at the aforementioned intersections). I am saving judgment on the effectiveness of these cameras until I can see some statistics from the city as to just how many fewer red-light-running accidents have occurred with the cameras. All I can say is folks, look out for rear-end collisions to jump in the fall with the influx of new students adjusting to the College Station's double threat of a very short yellow light cycle and the red light cameras.
Posted by: look out on Jul 29, 2008 at 09:37 PM
We've all learned to look left and right at intersections for the one in 100 red light runners. Now we have to retrain ourselves to be on guard for the overly cautious that slam on their breaks at the first hint of yellow. Thanks alot Council. Enjoy your remaining days in office.
Posted by: EJ Location: Bryan on Jul 29, 2008 at 08:36 PM
College Station has outdistanced Bryan with this camera campaign. Good job College Station. However, after reading what's making the news in Bryan, it appears cameras will be more effective in their Council Chamber rather than on the streets.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: CS on Jul 29, 2008 at 08:21 PM
KBTX, please investigate this! Has the number of accidents declined in the intersections with cameras? Fatalities? Property Damage Dollar amounts reduced or increased? We need all the facts.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bryan on Jul 29, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Bryan could use a few of theses.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Local Resident on Jul 29, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Its not all students, unfair statement, poor judgement of words. But there sure has been a huge improvement on people going thru lights. How about it Bryan?
Posted by: anonymous Location: cs on Jul 29, 2008 at 04:23 PM
"City officials say the vendor will likely do that in the fall, once students return to school." Why are they targeting the students? Thats pretty low.....
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