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House passes bill limiting traffic cameras

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo –The House passed a bill limiting red light and speed cameras, 84-64.

HB 1557, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair, specifies that points cannot be assessed on a traffic violation where a camera provides the only evidence.

Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair
Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair

It also mandates that cameras be forward facing to determine the driver of a vehicle, avoiding problems with a driver wracking up violations with another person’s vehicle. The bill restricts speed cameras to three specific areas: school zones, work zones, and safe zones. The bill requires that all cameras be approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The bill inspired as much discussion as any piece of legislature on Thursday, with eight different representatives speaking on the bill and the previous question being moved to end debate. The vote was bipartisan and mixed with members from both parties voting both ways.

Detractors of the bill, including Reps. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield; Stanley Cox, R-Sedalia; and Paul Curtman, R-Pacific; said it actually encouraged municipalities to keep cameras. Curtman’s particular complaint was inconsistency with enforcement, saying it was unconstitutional for points to be assessed after a normal traffic stop but not after the review of camera evidence.

Supporters of the bill, including Democratic Reps. Mike Colona and Clem Smith, lauded it for its efforts to limit cameras.

“Really, this is to rein in out of control speed cameras,” Hinson said. “We’re going to send it to the Senate, and I know they don’t like cameras. Maybe they will amend the bill to eliminate cameras and we can vote on that here.”