Do Traffic Cameras Record 24/7 in Texas? Regulations and Your Rights
Red lights flash, brakes squeal, and you suddenly wonder if a nearby traffic camera just captured the entire scene. We hear that question every week in our office.
Since 1996, The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec has guided crash victims through the maze of evidence gathering, including camera footage. Today, we break down whether Texas traffic cameras record nonstop, how the rules shape your personal injury case, and why a quick, free consultation can keep valuable proof from disappearing.
Traffic Camera Recording Policies: An Overview
Texas roadways host three main public camera systems: those maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), city-operated traffic cameras, and a handful of red-light cameras still functioning under old contracts. Each serves traffic management first, not round-the-clock surveillance.
With that in mind, most government cameras in Texas snap isolated images or short clips instead of storing continuous video. Private security cameras on businesses or homes often fill the gap when accident footage from public cameras does not exist.
- TxDOT cameras support live highway maps and incident alerts.
- City cameras help engineers time lights and watch congestion.
- Red-light cameras, where legal, only trigger when a violation occurs.
If your wreck happened within range of a privately owned lens, footage may survive for days or even weeks. Public systems, however, rarely keep files long enough for a slow response.
TxDOT Traffic Cameras: Limited Recording Capabilities
Highway cameras you see on the TxDOT live map focus on flow, not evidence. These units typically capture still frames every few seconds, displaying them online so drivers can plan routes. Continuous video is not stored. In fact, many cameras overwrite the last image within minutes.
You may file an Open Records request asking TxDOT for archived stills, yet two hurdles appear: retention periods are extremely short, and resolution is often too low to identify vehicles. For multi-vehicle pileups, other sources usually prove far more helpful.
City Operated Traffic Cameras: Similar Restrictions
Cities mirror the state’s approach. Houston TranStar openly states it “does not record video or save images.” Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio follow the same playbook, streaming images in real time but avoiding storage costs and privacy disputes.
Before spending time on requests, call the local traffic operations office and ask whether footage is retained. In most metro areas, the answer remains “no,” so energy is better spent locating nearby businesses with exterior cameras.
Red-Light Cameras: Photo Enforcement and Restrictions
Texas lawmakers barred new red-light cameras in 2019. Yet four cities: Humble, Amarillo, Balcones Heights, and Leon Valley, still run cameras under pre-existing contracts that last several more years.
Even there, the devices only activate when a sensor detects a car entering on red. They snap two or three photos and sometimes a postage-stamp video lasting a few seconds. No recording occurs unless a violation triggers the system, and raw files are tightly controlled by the vendor, not city staff.
If your crash happened near one of these intersections, act fast. Vendors purge data once citation deadlines pass.
Regulations Regarding Traffic Camera Footage
Texas privacy statutes give public-sector agencies broad leeway to discard camera data quickly. No law forces TxDOT or cities to keep files for civil discovery. When images do exist, they qualify as government records, so an Open Records Act request is required. Agencies may deny requests that reveal personal information, plate numbers, or anything outside the scope of the statute.
Retention schedules vary:
| Typical Retention Periods in Texas | ||
| Camera Type | Stored? | Approximate Time Kept |
| TxDOT Highway | Still images only | Minutes to hours |
| City Traffic | Rarely stored | Not retained |
| Red-Light (active cities) | Photos & 12-sec clips | 30 to 90 days |
| Private Security | Full video | 7 to 45 days (varies) |
Because most public systems overwrite almost immediately, your legal team must turn to private footage, eyewitness accounts, or crash reconstruction to build a strong claim.
Private Security Cameras: A Potential Source of Evidence
Gas stations, retail stores, and even doorbell cameras line Texas streets, quietly recording day and night. These feeds often capture fender benders, hit-and-runs, and pedestrian impacts.
There are two common paths to obtain such footage:
- Friendly request: Owners may email or copy the clip if asked within their retention window.
- Subpoena: If they refuse or ignore the request, your lawyer can file suit and serve a subpoena before files are deleted.
Some municipalities, including Houston and Dallas, now require certain late-night businesses to install cameras aimed at parking lots. These ordinances expand the pool of possible evidence after midnight crashes.
Police Involvement and Evidence Collection
In felony hit-and-run cases, detectives frequently canvass nearby businesses for video. For routine collisions, officers rarely have time to do so. Do not assume the police will hunt down footage unless a crime is involved. Taking initiative, or hiring counsel to do it, is the surest way to secure recordings before they vanish.
Steps to Take After an Accident: Preserving Potential Video Evidence
Time matters. Files can disappear overnight, and memories fade even faster. Follow this short checklist immediately after any crash where cameras could help:
- Snap photos of every visible camera, including building addresses and angles.
- Give that list to your attorney the same day.
- Ask witnesses for phone numbers in case they captured dash-cam footage.
- Send preservation letters to property owners within 48 hours.
- Discuss with counsel whether the potential value outweighs subpoena costs.
Quick action keeps options open. Waiting even a week can close the door on decisive evidence.
Contact The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec for Assistance
For nearly three decades, our firm has helped Texans secure medical care and fair compensation after serious crashes, even when traditional traffic footage falls short. We track down private recordings, file timely requests, and build cases that hold careless drivers accountable.
Call 281-643-2000, visit our website, or stop by our Houston office for a free consultation. We fight to protect your rights, recover lost wages, and cover every medical bill, using every shred of available evidence to push for the result you deserve.
Still weighing your options? A quick call today can stop valuable video from being erased tomorrow. Let’s talk before the footage is gone.
