The State Senate has approved an effort to limit the authority of municipalities using red light cameras to catch violators running red lights. An amendment to a much larger transportation bill – SB 58 – has been approved on a voice vote.
Senator Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis) sponsors the amendment, which would require those operating the cameras to clearly identify the driver of any vehicle that runs a red light. He says current law in most municipalities only requires the photographing of the car and the license plate. Lembke says this violates the rights of citizens who might be held responsible for the actions of other drivers.
Lembke had tried, earlier in the session, to push through a stand alone bill dealing with red light cameras. But the legislation failed to make it out of committee.
The much larger transportation bill to which Lembke’s amendment has been attached has been put on the shelf.