Red-Light cameras are all the rage among cool cities with big budgets, using hi-tech to nab drivers who illegally coast (or fly) through intersections. Critics have maintained the cameras violate civil liberties and amount to a cash-grab by cities. Proponents tell us the cities install the cameras for the singular purpose of saving lives. Lots of anecdotal evidence exists to suggest the camera operators play with yellow-light-timing, etc. But a news report indicates that the red-light cameras may be getting shuttered in Dallas.
It seems Dallas is facing a budget crunch, and the cameras aren’t bringing in the revenues projected. The cameras have been too “successful” apparently. So the city may have to turn off the project. So much for it all being about public safety.
By the way, the state legislature did do a lot recently to pull in the red-light camera effort by requiring cities to share the take with the state. This made the deals a lot less attractive to cash-grabbing city councils.
