Perhaps some of our readers have received an unpleasant notice in the mail after driving in another, often larger Texas city.
A letter, usually with a blurry photo attached, informing of a traffic violation-along with a bill for the fine.
Of course, you are free to go back to wherever the letter came from and fight the charge, but most just pay the fine. It's intentionally kept fairly low-usually around $75. It would cost more to challenge the citation in court.
It's been that way for a while since traffic enforcement cameras started going up in some cities. But no more.
This weekend, Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation barring the use of such cameras across the state. The law goes into effect in September.
The traffic light cameras have been legal in Texas since 2007 and have been controversial since coming into play. There have been unsuccessful attempts in the Legislature to ban them before.
This time, however, it's a done deal. A couple of cities still have contracts remaining for the cameras, but when they expire the use of these cameras will be history in the Lone Star State.
And we say good riddance.