Ruling will likely lead to new red-light cam plan

Houston's red-light camera system has gotten a boost thanks to a ruling by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott that clears the way for cities to install cameras at intersections controlled by the Texas Department of Transportation. The ruling means the city will probably toss the list of intersections it announced for the first 10 cameras earlier this month, since it will now be able to factor TxDOT intersections into its plans.

"Now we can truly impact safety, because now we're going to be using the (more dangerous) locations instead of having to work around" them, said Houston Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Martha Montalvo.

TxDOT controls many highways and major streets in the city, and Montalvo said about half of Houston's most dangerous intersections are on TxDOT roads. HPD's original camera strategy worked around those inersections; though the list will probably be changed now, installation of the initial cameras is expected to start next month as planned. This fall, at least four more groups of 10 cameras will be installed at intersections still being determined.

Once the cameras are online, there will be a one-month grace period during which people photographed running lights will get warnings in the mail. After that, they'll receive civil citations and a $75 fine. And no, police aren't going to relax: They'll keep giving tickets to people they see running red lights, too.