Lawsuit Dismissed Against American Traffic Solutions in Texas; Another Court Win in Favor of Red-Light Camera Programs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--The U.S. District Court of Northern District of Texas has dismissed a lawsuit against American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) claiming that photo enforcement vendors operating in Texas must first obtain a private investigators’ license. In his favorable ruling, Senior U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish said the plaintiffs, Steven Bell, Alexis Monrreal and Jacqueline Monrreal, failed to state a legal claim because private citizens may not rely on the Texas private investigators licensing law to impose civil liability or to obtain an injunction.

“Our position has always been that this was a frivolous lawsuit and we are very pleased Judge Fish agreed,” said George Hittner, General Counsel and Vice President of Governmental Relations for ATS. “From coast to coast, courts continue to uphold the legality and constitutionality of red-light camera safety programs, negating the habitual and tired claims by opponents.

“The plaintiffs’ lawsuit was an ill-conceived attempt to exonerate those who violated traffic laws by running red lights. We are pleased that the plaintiffs failed in their attempt to prevent municipalities from enforcing the very laws that protect innocent lives. Communities continue to use red-light camera programs throughout the United States because they are a proven, effective public safety tool. This decision merely demonstrates that the best way to avoid paying a fine for violating traffic laws is to obey the law and stop on red,” Hittner concluded.

The federal lawsuit was brought by Texas plaintiffs who violated red-light traffic laws and sought a return of payment for their traffic tickets and an injunction prohibiting ATS from operating a red-light camera system in Texas. The lawsuit claimed photo enforcement vendors operating in Texas must first obtain a private investigators’ license, a claim that the Private Security Bureau of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state agency statutorily authorized to regulate private investigators’ licenses, denied. ATS worked with outside counsel Haynes and Boone to help secure the decision.

About American Traffic Solutions, Inc.:

American Traffic Solutions (ATS) is a leading provider of technology and business solutions for traffic safety and electronic toll collection programs worldwide. ATS serves more than 160 municipalities and government agencies across North America with photo-enforcement safety programs such as red-light and speed camera programs. Among the company’s larger municipal clients are New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, St. Louis, Houston, Seattle and San Diego. ATS also offers PlatePass®, which is an automated electronic toll payment service that enables rental vehicle customers to use high speed, cashless electronic toll lanes. ATS is a private corporation headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information visit: www.RedLightCamera.com, www.PlatePass.com or www.atsol.com.