It took only 18 minutes for the camera at 11^th and Interstate 35 to snap a potential red-light runner, according to information obtained by KXAN Austin News.

The camera, operated by a third-party company, was turned on at midnight, May 23rd. In just one week, it captured 80-plus images. Of those images, about 30 have been reviewed by the vendor and the Austin Police Department. Of those 30, only four violations have been mailed out.

KXAN Austin News issued a public information request for this data and the photographs the camera snapped last Friday.

If you run a red light, and the camera catches you, you could expect to see the ticket in the mail in about two weeks, the city says.

In the first 24 hours the camera was turned on, 15 photos were snapped. Those 15 photos then went to the third-party vendor that operates the camera.

The vendor looked at the photos, the city says, and determined eight of the 15 vehicles captured did not actually run the red light.

APD then looked at the seven remaining images and determined four more did not violate the red light.

Of the three left, only one citation was actually issued. The city spokesperson KXAN Austin News spoke with Friday said they are taking a closer look at those final two photos.

The city is still talking with its lawyers regarding our open records request to determine if the images can be released (??), and how.

Admin note: It doesn’t sound like these cameras are very discerning, does it? Lack of accuracy? Multiple officials needed to review pictures? Twelve out of fifteen motorists photographed didn’t really run the red light?? Bad system! And, of course the photos can be released!

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On my way out of Lakeway, I saw one of the new “stealth” police cars that was stopped in the median of Lohmans Crossing, front and rear radar blasting away! Well, I had plenty of spare time, so I pulled over at CVS Pharmacy and got out my sign, video camera, phone, scanner, and legal excerpts book. It was the perfect spot. Right as motorist pulled onto Lohmans, there I was — and slow down they did!

Although I was there warning motorists, I could only do so from one direction. Anyone coming at the radar from the other direction had no warning. So, the cop still managed to give out tickets –FOUR that I witnessed in about 50 minutes! Actually, I think one car got ticketed for not obeying the Texas “Move Over” law.

After being there awhile, Lakeway police began getting phone calls, telling them about the sign. They didn’t even approach me at first. They just gathered in the CVS parking lot, talking to each other. You KNOW they were talking about what they could do, probably calling their supervisor, checking legal statutes, etc.

Finally, they all left, but I guess one cop (officer Adams) drew the short straw and came over to talk to me. He did a really nice job of handling the situation by talking about safety, agreeing with the idea of me “helping them out” by holding my sign, saying that it was an “interesting idea” and all about safety, etc. I think it was all kind of tongue-in-cheek for him, though — In fact, I’m certain it was. Anyway, here’s the video. Let me know what you think.

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Anyway, 45 minutes later, on my return trip I saw that they were still there.

If I had only had time to stop and set up my sign! It would’ve been GREAT! I’m still looking to set up my first SpeedTrapAhead station. Everything’s almost ready to go.

If YOU know of somewhere in Austin, TX where cops hang out and issue speeding tickets, please email us. Even if it’s somewhere outside of Austin, let us know that too! We’re wanting to make the speed trap map as comprehensive as possible.

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I’m gonna go by there soon and check things out, myself. Sounds like the perfect place to set up an STA (Speed Trap Ahead) station.

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Update: Actually, I’ve found out now that I can make just ONE map with any/all speed trap hotspots on it for the whole country! Check it out by clicking on the link under the map. Then you can zoom out and see the whole country. Of course, I don’t have very many sites marked at this point. More will come later as the site grows.

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