Arlington Councilman Calls for Removal of Red Light Cameras

Red light traffic cameras in Arlington could be on their way out if one city council member gets his way. This week, city leaders will discuss Councilman Robert Rivera's request to end the controversial program.

Joe McHaney, like many drivers in Arlington, has received a ticket in the mail after he was allegedly caught by a traffic camera driving through a red light. Although he took it upon himself to fight the ticket, he knows he could have done nothing and been just fine.

“A lot of people don’t pay them,” said McHaney. “There’s no reason to pay a red light ticket, because they’re not going to take your license away and you can still register your car.”

Because the tickets are civil penalties rather than criminal ones, they are difficult to enforce.

State law does allow cities to partner with county tax assessor/collector’s offices to put holds on vehicle registrations until offenders pay their fines, and earlier this year the Arlington City Council tried to strike a deal with Tarrant County to do just that. It ultimately fell through.

That was the breaking point for Rivera.

“The issue is that the cameras have now become void because there is no incentive for anyone to pay the fine,” the councilman said.

He’s asked his fellow council members to consider removing all 23 red light cameras currently operating within city limits. They’ll have an informal discussion about the matter during a meeting Tuesday afternoon.

“There are those who feel that the cameras are intrusive, that’s it’s another level of Big Brother,” said Rivera. “Therefore, I think it is very appropriate to have this discussion.”

Supporters of the cameras argue they’ve improved road safety at the intersections where they’re located.

According to the most recent data from the Arlington Police Department, the total number of crashes at intersections with cameras decreased 32 percent from 2012-2013. Rear-end crashes, specifically, fell 60 percent in that same time frame.

In 2013, there were two fatality wrecks at intersections with cameras. Police said both incidents involved pedestrians who tried to cross the street when they did not have the right-of-way.

Rivera says he’s a strong supporter of road safety, but believes the cameras have generated enough awareness now that drivers will stop at intersections with or without them there.

“I am looking forward to the discussion tomorrow,” said Rivera. “My feeling is that it is difficult, but not impossible to have the cameras removed.”

Since October 2013, when the city’s fiscal year begins, more than 81,800 red light tickets have been issued in Arlington.