WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Red light camera bill dies in Senate committee

Red light camera bill dies in Senate committee

(Columbia-AP) Feb. 25, 2005 - The Senate Transportation Committee has killed a bill that would have allowed communities to install cameras at red lights.

The bill would have had police review films and write citations for violations. Fines would have been limited to $100. The tickets resulting from the use of cameras would not be the same as other moving violations. They're civil citations, not misdemeanors. Plus, they would't go on driving records and couldn't be used in courts when determining fault in accidents.

Spartanburg Senator John Hawkins says the bill should have been reviewed first by an attorney. He says he wants to make sure law-abiding citizens aren't harassed. Hawkins says the system would have required people to prove they were innocent.

Aiken Senator Greg Ryberg says he hopes the bill can be revised and considered again. he says the cameras could be a useful tool to save lives and cut down on  high-cost and deadly accidents around the state.

Cameras are being used in 20 states and the District of Columbia.State Senator Scott Richardson of Hilton Head Island Richardson says cities using the cameras see red light offense drop by 70 percent and deaths decline by 60 percent.

State safety officials say 57 people were killed and 4264 people injured last year in accidents where the primary factor was disregarding stop signs or lights.

posted 1:06pm by Chris Rees