# Traffic and Red Light Cameras in Houston | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Texas Legislature Bans Use of Red Light Cameras 2. Places Where Traffic Lights Are Still in Use 3. Do You Have to Pay Red Light Camera Tickets in Texas? 4. Traffic Laws Are Still Enforceable 5. Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help ![Traffic and Red Light Cameras in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Traffic-and-Red-Light-Cameras-in-Houston-300x205.jpg) At one point, cameras were considered the latest and greatest advancement in traffic enforcement. Cameras mounted near busy intersections would be the eyes of police forces that were often stretched too thin.  Traffic cameras, sometimes called [red light cameras](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/red-and-yellow-light/), could photograph drivers who disobeyed traffic signals, enabling authorities to issue tickets even though no police officer actually saw the infraction. The motivation behind these cameras may have been noble. The Texas Department of Transportation reported nearly [4,500 traffic deaths](https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2021/a.pdf) in 2021 alone, and [intersections](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/intersection/) are a common location for [car crashes](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) of all types.  However, in light of recent legislation, Houston drivers need not fear a ticket from a red light camera anymore. ## Texas Legislature Bans Use of Red Light Cameras Not only did red light cameras arguably promote traffic safety, but (perhaps more importantly) they also served as a source of revenue for smaller jurisdictions. By issuing tickets to a larger number of people without having to expand a physical police force, smaller communities could take in more money via red light camera fines. In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed [HB 1631](https://www.txdot.gov/content/txdotreimagine/us/en/home/safety/traffic-signs-signals/red-light-cameras.html), and the same was signed into law by Governor Abbott shortly thereafter. The law bans local authorities like city councils from installing or operating any red light camera system. In addition, any evidence obtained from such camera systems is inadmissible in Texas courts. The law does permit municipalities to continue operating their traffic cameras if they were installed and are operating pursuant to a contract entered into before May 1, 2019. The exception allows municipalities to continue operating their red light cameras until the expiration date of the contract. This exception only applies, however, if the contract did not contain a provision allowing the contract to end if red light cameras were banned in the state. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Places Where Traffic Lights Are Still in Use As of June 2021, there were only [four cities in Texas](https://www.khou.com/article/news/verify/verify-red-light-camera-tickets/285-106f0e90-2157-479c-96c3-ba5ac76268b3) with active red light cameras: Humble, Amarillo, Balcones Heights, and Leon Valley. In these cities, traffic cameras were left on and continued to operate because turning them off early would have resulted in a financial penalty to the city. Some of these locations will continue to use red light cameras until 2024 — the date the contract between the municipality and the red light camera vendor expires. These municipalities are permitted to keep the cameras turned on so they don’t violate their contracts. ## Do You Have to Pay Red Light Camera Tickets in Texas? Suppose that you were to drive through a city with operational red light cameras, and you committed a violation by not stopping for a red light. You may wonder if you could face consequences, including a fine, for committing an infraction caught on camera. Thankfully, for Texas drivers, the answer to this question is no. Even where a red light camera remains operational, the municipality is prohibited from taking any sort of civil or criminal action against you. While some of the cities where these cameras remain in use may automatically issue you a ticket, you do not have to pay it. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Traffic Laws Are Still Enforceable Just because cities are no longer permitted to use red light cameras to take action against offenses does not mean that traffic laws are unenforceable. A police officer in Houston who sees you run a red light can still pull you over and issue a citation that you must pay, regardless of whether the camera caught you or not. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help For more information, [contact](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/contact-us/) the [Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/) car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000). **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Houston**[3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350, Houston, TX 77098](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+Houston/@29.7309684,-95.4262545,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640bf255e7aaf73:0x52064b120afa59fe!8m2!3d29.7309684!4d-95.4262545!16s%2Fg%2F1tfrxw9q?entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – East Fwy**[11811 East Fwy, Suite 630-06, Houston, TX 77029](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+East+Fwy/@29.773407,-95.2301421,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640bd52b80b3fe3:0xb5804dd15c47b17b!8m2!3d29.773407!4d-95.2301421!16s%2Fg%2F11r10lsb0x?source=g.page.share&entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – South Loop**[2600 S Loop W, Suite 293, Houston, TX 77054](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+South+Loop/@29.6785093,-95.4184191,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640c1c0e435eacd:0x81fd3c6eb30bc542!8m2!3d29.6785093!4d-95.4184191!16s%2Fg%2F11ry4wjwqr?cid=9366709246148461890&_ga=2.209939733.1628598219.1648478482-1081226185.1622227003&shorturl=1&entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Katy Freeway**[11511 Katy Fwy Suite 515, Houston, TX 77079](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+Katy+Freeway/@29.7836667,-95.5861677,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640dbd008653a11:0x9786540c9ab0bfd9!8m2!3d29.7836667!4d-95.5861677!16s%2Fg%2F11y3dw2v44?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111&entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers** **– Clear Lake** [1300 Bay Area Blvd Suite B268, Houston, TX 77058](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+Clear+Lake/@29.5598212,-95.1152728,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x86409d1b345242c9:0x5895a119f6ed1d9!8m2!3d29.5598212!4d-95.1152728!16s%2Fg%2F11lf7xm8n8?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111&coh=219816&entry=tts&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgxNC4xKgBIAVAD/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers** **– The Woodlands** [1776 Woodstead Ct ste 203, The Woodlands, TX 77380](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+The+Woodlands/@30.1548897,-95.4639792,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x864737efe5a3cb73:0xff70634b80d03844!8m2!3d30.1548897!4d-95.4639792!16s%2Fg%2F11y98y92_f?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111&entry=tts&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExOS4yIPu8ASoASAFQAw%3D%3D/) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![The 15 Safest Cars for 2021](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-15-Safest-Cars-for-2021-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-15-safest-cars-for-2021/) [The 15 Safest Cars for 2021](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-15-safest-cars-for-2021/) There are many online sources that rank cars for their safety. US News is one of the many resources where you can [![What You Should Know About Traffic Violations in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/What-You-Should-Know-About-Traffic-Violations-in-Texas-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-you-should-know-about-traffic-violations-in-texas/) [What You Should Know About Traffic Violations in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-you-should-know-about-traffic-violations-in-texas/) Most states use a points system with a certain number of points assigned for specific traffic violation convictions. [![Sideswipe Collisions: Deceptively Dangerous](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Sideswipe-Collisions-Deceptively-Dangerous-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/sideswipe-collisions-deceptively-dangerous/) [Sideswipe Collisions: Deceptively Dangerous](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/sideswipe-collisions-deceptively-dangerous/) Sideswipe collisions are deceptively dangerous. Many people may not be aware that same-side crashes are associated [![Secrets of Accident Claims Against GEICO Revealed](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Secrets-of-Accident-Claims-Against-GEICO-Revealed-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/secrets-of-accident-claims-against-geico-revealed/) [Secrets of Accident Claims Against GEICO Revealed](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/secrets-of-accident-claims-against-geico-revealed/) If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Houston, TX, there’s a good chance you’ll have to deal with GEICO. --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/traffic-and-red-light-cameras-in-houston/