The Dallas Police Department is advocating for a change in Texas law that would enable safety cameras to issue speeding tickets to drivers via mail. This proposal is among the ten priorities identified by the department for the upcoming 2025 legislative session in Austin.
Lieutenant Julio Gonzalez presented the idea to the city council Public Safety Committee and discussed it further with NBC 5 on Tuesday.
Gonzalez emphasized the importance of addressing speeding, which is a leading cause of fatal accidents across the state. Implementing speed safety cameras would provide an additional means of monitoring roadways and enhancing safety.
Similar systems have been observed in action, such as in Edmonton, Canada, where safety officers use handheld radar and cameras to issue tickets remotely. While the concept is gaining traction in the U.S., its implementation varies from what is seen in Canada.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), fixed safety cameras have shown potential to reduce crashes by 54%. Unlike handheld devices, fixed cameras do not require constant officer presence to operate radar.
Furthermore, mobile units equipped with cameras, whether in trailers or vehicles, could potentially reduce injury and fatal crashes by one-fifth on major city streets, as per the FHA.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports significant success with fixed cameras in reducing speeding violations in New York City school zones by 63%.
While several California cities have recently been granted approval for a pilot program to implement speed safety cameras, Texas would need to amend its transportation code to legalize their use.
Gonzalez emphasized the need for authorization to install these cameras, highlighting the potential benefits for enhancing roadway safety.
Members of the public safety committee expressed support for the proposal during a recent discussion. Councilmember Gay Donnell Willis of District 13 underscored the pressing issue of speeding on Dallas streets, emphasizing the importance of adopting automated speed safety camera systems.
The DPD’s legislative priorities, along with the city of Dallas’ top priorities for the 2025 session, are expected to be formally presented to the full council later this summer.
