09/04/2007

By Brandi Grissom / El Paso Times, Austin Bureau

AUSTIN -- State transportation officials temporarily halted a plan to put speed-checking cameras near El Paso, but state Rep. Joe Pickett said today he still expects lawmakers to try to outlaw the technology altogether.

"It wouldn't surprise me," Pickett, D-El Paso, said.

Texas Transportation Commissioner Ric Williamson told lawmakers in a letter last week that he ordered agency staff to shelve a plan to put speed-monitoring cameras on Interstate 10 near El Paso and on state Highway 6 near Bryan-College Station.

Pickett and other lawmakers had blasted the commission for its plan to use $2 million to put up cameras that would record motorists' speed, allowing the department to send speeders a warning to slow down.

"It was a waste of money," Pickett said.

Lawmakers were also upset because the move came after a legislative session in which they had approved a measure prohibiting cities from using the same technology to issue speeding citations.

Reducing speed-induced accidents, Williamson told lawmakers in the letter, was the primary motivation behind the camera proposal. He also hoped fewer accidents would mean the Texas Department of Public Safety would need less money, leaving more in the pot for road building.

"I have decided my interest in the technology is best explored through the hearing process conducted by the Legislature," Williamson wrote. He added that he would prepare a full proposal for review during the 2009 legislative session.

Traffic cameras, however, have been a particular pet peeve of many lawmakers.

Besides prohibiting cities from using speed-monitoring cameras, they tried unsuccessfully to outlaw red-light cameras, and this year approved laws limiting cities' ability to profit from the devices.

Pickett said speed-monitoring cameras would probably be in the crosshairs again when the Legislature reconvenes.

State Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, indicated the cameras are already in his sights.

"I appreciate Chairman Williamson's consideration of legislative input," he said, reacting to the letter. "It won't take long at all next session to take speed cameras out altogether."

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