Senate panel rejects red-light cameras

Published 2:44 pm Tuesday, February 26, 2013

ST. PAUL — A Minnesota Senate committee has rejected a proposal to install cameras at high-traffic intersections to catch red-light runners.

The Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee voted the bill down 9-6 Monday. A second vote — to advance the bill without recommending that it pass — failed 8-7.

The legislation would establish requirements that cities using the cameras link a driver to a vehicle blasting through an intersection using clear photographic evidence.

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Republican Sen. John Pederson’s bill includes limits on data retention and would require cities to clearly post signs at intersections where the cameras would be used.

A companion House bill stalled last week but could resurface later.

Minneapolis had red-light cameras for a few years before the state courts invalidated the city’s camera program.