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LIGHTS, CAMERA, CITATION
City of College Station's Red Light Cameras

Beginning in February, don’t be surprised to find a ticket in your mailbox for running a red light in College Station. This month, the City of College Station is installing red light cameras at four major intersections. College Station’s program has been named “C.A.R.E.S.” for Cameras Advancing Red Light Enforcement Safety.

The cameras will be installed at the intersections of (1) Texas Avenue at Walton Drive, (2) Harvey Road at Munson Avenue, (3) Harvey Road at George Bush Drive East, and (4) Wellborn Road at George Bush Drive. However, future intersections are planned for later phases after the completion of the reconstruction of Texas Avenue.

A recent study of the four intersections revealed seventy-four red light violations in a twenty-four hour period, which further demonstrated the need to address the problem.

The cameras will photograph vehicles if they run through a red light or do not properly stop prior to an intersection. Images will be taken of the vehicle prior to it entering the intersection and while it is in the intersection to show the violation. The cameras will not record the identity of the driver or passengers in the vehicle.

After verification of the violation by the College Station Police, the registered owner of the vehicle will be issued a $75 citation. The citation provides the date, time, and location of the violation as well as the two images showing the violation and one image of the vehicles license plate. Violators will be able to view a video clip of the violation from a special website. Citations, like other traffic citations, will be payable by check, through e-payment and at the city’s Municipal Court Building.

During the month of January, College Station will implement a public education program to inform residents and visitors about this traffic safety initiative. A warning period will begin February 4 with violators receiving only a notification, prior to the start of the enforcement on February 18.

In compliance with the legislation that allows the program, College Station will remit 50% of all revenue generated by the citations, after costs are recovered, to the state for funding trauma centers within the city.