Traffic cameras in Scottsdale, Ariz., have gotten TXDOT’s attention.

But these aren’t red light cameras.  These cameras catch speeders.

Hooked up to highway sensors, the cameras snap photos of fast drivers, and the drivers get tickets.

“I’m shocked that they did this. I really am,” bail bondsman Michael Kubosh said.

Kubosh has been suing the city of Houston over its red-light cameras.  He never thought cameras catching speeders would be an issue.

11 News

Speed cameras catch fast drivers in Arizona.

“Speed cameras are banned by municipalities. I’m really shocked to see that the state is getting onboard,” Kubosh said

The Hill Country town of Marble Falls caused a ruckus when police there used speed cameras to ticket lead-foot drivers.  They don’t do it anymore, because lawmakers passed a bill banning the cameras.

However, the law didn’t touch TXDOT or its highways.  And now, the state agency has put out a bid to spend up to 2.5 million on cameras.

In a six month study on Highway 6 between Navasota and Bryan, cameras would catch drivers going five miles an hour over the limit and up.

Unlike with red light cameras, people caught breaking the rules by a speed camera would not get a ticket.  But TXDOT would send them a letter letting them know they did get caught.

A TXDOT spokesman cautions the study is just a test.

“We want to evaluate the technology, analyze it a little bit.  And that’s all we are doing at this point,” he said.

But if counties jump onboard as well, Houston drivers could wind up getting tickets from the cameras – not letters – and have to pay them.