With no pageantry or celebration American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (“ATS”) notified Bryan College Station media that their Red Light Cameras were no longer working as 3:00pm Tuesday afternoon:

ATS hereby confirms receipt of correspondence from the City of College Station requesting that ATS turn off the intersection safety cameras throughout the city.

ATS has fully complied with the city’s request. Effective today at 3:00pm (CST), intersection safety cameras have been turned off and no further violations will be issued.

Tuesday afternoon's action followed court arguments and arbitration after an election where College Station voters decided 52% to 48% to do away with the red light cameras.

The Red Light Camera issue was decided on in an election after Jim Ash turned in enough signatures in a petition to force the city to call an election on the issue.

The cameras were set to come down in late January. But Monday night the council voted to notify ATS to shut them off Tuesday.

Council members made it clear at their meeting that they wanted to honor the voter's wishes by immediately shutting off the cameras.

"With the action taken tonight and the phone call to Scottsdale, Arizona that will be made tomorrow morning, I think, God willing, this whole issue will be brought to a closure, said Mayor Ben White.

Less than 24 hours after making that statement, he and the council got what they hoped. And for motorists like Cody Kelly, that's good news.
Kelly is quite familiar with the red light cameras.

"I've actually gotten two of those tickets before. Both of them were turning on a red light where I wasn't speeding through a red light. I just didn't wait long enough apparently,” said Kelly

Krysta Kothman says she'll be more relaxed as she drives through town, knowing the cameras aren't watching.

"I think it'll be good for me just so I'm not trying to slam on my brakes as much when it's busy out,” said Kothman.

It hasn't been easy getting these cameras shut off. Earlier this month, College Station residents voted to end the program. About a week later, two red light camera supporters filed suit to keep the cameras on, claiming the election results were invalid. A judge ordered both sides to negotiate an agreement. Attorneys are still working out the details but the cameras are scheduled to stay off.

"We all understand the will of the voters. We honor that. We respect that. We're sorry there was this delay in moving the project forward,” said White.

In case you're wondering, you will not get a citation if you ran a red light Tuesday while the cameras were still on.

ATS is expected to remove the equipment within the next 60 days and the warning signs at intersections are already being removed.

The city will pay $4,750 for each of the nine cameras through mid-January. The total expected cost is between $60,000 and $70,000, which city officials say will be paid for with red light camera revenues.