Missouri Senate Jobs Committee debated the need for red light cameras.

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4/26/2010: Newspaper Story - The Missouri Senate has given first round approval to a bill that could ban red light cameras in the state

Intro:	Many people came to the defense of red light cameras at a hearing in Jefferson City.
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Wrap: The Senate Jobs Committee heard a bill to ban red light cameras.

St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke is the sponsor of the bill.

Lembke says the cameras are unconstitutional, violating the right of due process. He also says the cameras can only identify the owner of the vehicle, not the driver.

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Description: So the idea, that these tickets are being sent out presuming the driver of the vehicle is the owner of the vehicle is fallacious.

Opponents of the bill say the cameras are necessary to protect the people. Various sources cited that red light cameras lead to a decrease in accidents.

Attorney Edward Dowd disagreed with Lembke, saying red light cameras do not violate any constitutional rights.

No date for an executive vote has been scheduled.

From the State Capitol, I'm Megan McGinnis.

Intro:	Some senators say red light cameras are unconstitutional, but many people believe they are necessary to save lives. The Senate Jobs committee heard a bill which would ban red light cameras.
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Wrap: Kathy Tremeear lost her daughter Kayla in a car accident in 2002. Now Tremeear advocates for red light cameras, a device she believes could have saved her daughter's life.

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Description: Our family has prayed for peace and understanding to help us heal and move forward, one way I have decided to do that is to speak out and volunteer in support of red light safety cameras.

St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke believes the cameras violate several amendments.

Lembke also disagrees with ticketing the owner of the vehicle, when they might not have been the one driving.

An executive vote on the bill has not been scheduled.

From the State Capitol, I'm Megan McGinnis.

Intro:	Some people think red light cameras are a necessary tool to control bad driving habits. But others believe they violate constitutional rights. The Senate Jobs Committee is hearing a bill which would ban red light cameras.
RunTime:	0:39
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke says the pictures taken from the camera cannot prove who the driver of the vehicle was. He also says the cameras violate several constitutional rights.

But Attorney Edward Dowd says the cameras are perfectly constitutional.

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Description: "Leave this up to the local municipalities, let them decide do we need a red light camera at this intersection , where this child was killed."

Various witnesses testified that red light cameras save lives. Since the city of Hazelwood began using the cameras in 2006, accidents have gone down by 16 percent.

No vote has been scheduled for the bill.

From the State Capitol, I'm Megan McGinnis.