Meredythe Heaton Wilkinson | November 25, 2025 | Car Accidents
The Austin, TX metro area has roughly 2.5 million residents, and any area with this many people is likely to have its fair share of traffic problems. To help monitor traffic congestion and other problems, the city has installed traffic cameras throughout the city.
Keep reading below to learn more about how these cameras work and how you can drive safely within the law and avoid car accidents in Austin.
How Do Traffic Cameras Work?
The City of Austin has installed roughly 800 traffic cameras throughout the city to monitor traffic congestion, accidents, and other traffic situations. These cameras provide real-time views into how traffic is flowing through certain intersections or on specific sections of roadways.
The public has access to view live feeds from most of these cameras, and checking these cameras can be useful for:
- Avoiding traffic congestion
- Planning the quickest route for your trip
- Checking traffic conditions prior to hitting the road
Austin has no red light cameras for the automated enforcement of traffic laws. A 2019 Texas law banned the use of red light cameras in the state. A few municipalities were able to keep their red light cameras running since the law allowed them to finish their existing contracts.
Although the traffic cameras in Austin may have the ability to record and store footage for a short period of time, these recordings are not used to issue traffic tickets.
License Plate Readers in Austin
Although red light cameras are not allowed in Austin, the Austin Police Department has installed multiple license plate readers throughout the city. These devices are used to help address car theft and other crimes. The license plate readers are equipped with cameras that record the back or front license plate of every car that passes.
The data from these license plate readers is stored for seven days. The system automatically checks its database against information from the police. If a license plate stored in the system matches information related to a crime, the system notifies the police department.
Tips for Avoiding Tickets from Red Light Cameras
Although Austin does not have any red light cameras, many municipalities across the country use red light cameras to issue traffic tickets. If your car is photographed in the intersection after the light turns red, you will likely find yourself getting a ticket in the mail.
Avoiding tickets in these cities can be done by:
Driving the Speed Limit
If you travel above the speed limit, it will take you longer to stop your vehicle when the light turns red. Speeding makes you more likely to blow through a yellow light even as it turns red. Traveling at the speed limit gives you more time to react to the changing light and stop appropriately at the intersection.
Knowing When the Light Will Change
It can be helpful to understand how long a yellow light will last before it turns red. The higher the speed limit, the longer the light will stay yellow. For instance, if the speed limit is 30 miles per hour, the yellow light will likely last for about 3 seconds. However, yellow lights in 50 mph zones are likely to last about 5 seconds.
Staying Safe on Austin’s Roadways
Even with all the traffic cameras around Austin, car accidents still happen every day. Victims often suffer catastrophic injuries from these accidents. Understanding how to take advantage of Austin’s traffic cameras can help you stay safe on the roads and avoid potential accidents.
You should use the cameras to stay informed of the latest traffic congestion and issues on the roads throughout Austin. Consider planning alternate routes that can avoid traffic delays and congestion. Avoiding traffic can also help you avoid higher chances of an accident.
Finally, if you do find yourself in a car accident, the traffic cameras could help you prove your personal injury claim. Data from the cameras might provide video footage of your accident, and this could help you prove who was at fault. However, since this data is only stored for a short period of time, it is crucial that you act quickly to preserve this evidence.
Contact the Austin Car Accident Attorneys at Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been in a car accident in Austin, TX, the experienced team at Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers can help you gather evidence to prove your case and recover compensation. We will fight to protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Austin car accident lawyer.
Contact us today at (512) 503-4878 or visit our Austin law office for a free consultation with an Austin personal injury lawyer.
Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers Austin
3933 Steck Avenue, Suite B-115, Austin, TX 78759
(512) 503-4878