Red-light camera programs have caused a debate between supporters who say they reduce T-bone accidents and opponents who say they only lead to rear-end collisions when drivers slam on their brakes to avoid tickets.

Texas lawyer Russell Bowman is among those who oppose the cameras.

Bowman has spent nearly six years fighting a $75 red-light ticket he got in Richardson. The Texas Supreme Court will soon decide if his argument against Richardson's red-light cameras is valid.

If his case is successful, it could be a big setback for the state's red-light camera programs.

Attorneys Russell Bowman (pictured) and Scott Stewart are challenging the City of Irving and several other cities in the state on the use of red light cameras on the grounds of constitutionality and violation of state law. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

Like Bowman, Mike Keeton said he's also gotten red-light tickets.

Keeton said he heard rumors that Dallas' red-light camera program had been suspended, which led him to ask Curious Texas: What is the current state of affairs regarding red-light cameras in Dallas? What happens if you get a ticket and do not pay for it?

His question is part of an ongoing project from The Dallas Morning News that invites you to join in our reporting process. The idea is simple: You have questions, and our journalists are trained to track down answers.

We decided to not only look at Dallas’ red-light camera program, but also at other surrounding cities.

Richardson suspended its red-light camera program in 2016 after a district judge decided Bowman was not liable for his ticket, but neighboring Plano still has cameras.

Plano has 25 cameras in 17 intersections, said Plano police spokesman David Tilley.

“There are people who don’t like it and there are people who do like it,” he said. “There are a lot of benefits to this program. We believe we have the stats to prove it has reduced intersection crashes.”

Plano has used the money made from red-light camera fines to buy backup generators for stoplights at busy intersections, countdown tickers for crosswalks and fund its DWI law enforcement program, Tilley said.

Dallas, the city Keeton said he was most interested to learn about, has 44 intersections with cameras, according to 2017 data from the Texas Department of Transportation.

A Dallas red-light ticket, like in other cities, is classified as a civil penalty of $75 per violation, which increases by $25 if not paid within 30 days, according to the Dallas City Hall website.

But what's the penalty for not paying this ticket? According to Dallas' website, you may not be able to renew your vehicle's registration until you've paid the fine.

But the penalties are not all the same across North Texas. In Irving, a driver could get away with never paying their red-light tickets.

Dan Vedral, the director of traffic and transportation for Irving, said non-payment of tickets are referred to a collection agency that is responsible for sending a letter to the person reminding them to pay.

But these tickets don’t affect your driving record, he said.

“It’s a municipal fine,” Vedral said. “Most people do honor it.”

Vedral said Irving has used the red-light traffic cameras since 2007 in high-traffic areas. Irving currently has nine cameras.

But other cities have more unique reasons for using them.

Grand Prairie began using red-light traffic cameras in 2007 after it became the city with the highest railroad crossing fatalities in Texas, said Grand Prairie police spokesman Eric Hansen.

“One was particularly disturbing. I was at that one,” he said. “We had a mom, a dad and a baby. They crossed the tracks in front of an Amtrak train. The mom and dad were killed, and the baby had to be raised by the grandparents.

“This was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

["Not Found"]

["Not Found"]

Hansen said there have been no railroad crossing fatalities since the city installed the cameras at various crossings.

He said the city’s photo enforcement system gave out 67,592 citations — 1,426 of those were for railroad crossing violations — in 2017.

A sign warns drivers of the City of Irving's use of red light cameras at O'Connor Road and Lane Street. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

Not for everyone

Not all North Texas cities have red-light cameras.

Cockrell Hill police dispatcher Donna Stephens said the city opted not to install cameras because she said their officers are capable of handling the city’s traffic.

“We have about five red lights,” she said. “Our officers can handle it as much as the cameras.”

Unlike its neighbor University Park, which has four cameras, Highland Park has none.

Highland Park police Lt. Lance Koppa said the city discussed the idea of red-light cameras several years back, but ultimately decided against it.

“It’s our officers that make those traffic stops based on observed violations,” he said. “For the intersections in town, we thankfully just don’t have many motor vehicle accidents.”

DeSoto Sgt. David Williams said that years ago city officials decided against the cameras because at the time they felt it gave a “bad perception.”

“Whether it was right or not, it looked like it was a fund generator,” he said. “They haven’t been brought up in at least 10 years as far as why we would go with them. I haven’t heard of them being discussed.”

Those who have these cameras say they’ve relieved taxpayers from funding improvements to school zone signs and public safety programs, and the cameras have improved traffic.

“We would see three or four cars run a red light,” Hansen said. “Now it’s rare. I think the cameras have been very effective in changing driver behavior as well as making streets safer.”

Tell us:

What do you wonder about the culture, people and institutions of North Texas — and the rest of our great state? Help us investigate stories that matter to you.

No question is too big or too small. Let's get started!