Va. Panel Kills Red Light Camera Programs

RICHMOND, Va. - Pilot programs that use cameras to catch red light runners in several Virginia localities will end July 1 unless supporters of the technology can find a way to reverse action taken Friday by a legislative committee.

The House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee, which is dominated by conservative Republicans, rejected several bills to keep the pilot programs alive after their scheduled expiration date.

Proponents of the bills said the "photo-red" technology encourages voluntary compliance, reduces accidents and saves lives. Critics argued that the use of cameras infringes on motorists' rights to face their accusers.

Virginia Beach and six northern Virginia localities operate photo-red systems at selected intersections. The programs were authorized in 1995.

"There is nothing Republican or conservative about allowing criminals to kill and maim innocent Virginians, which is what this action today allows," said Falls Church City Council member David Snyder. Falls Church is one of the localities using the cameras.

Jim Kadison, a lobbyist for the National Motorists Association, was pleased with the committee's action.

"We truly think this is a bad thing," he said of the photo-red programs, which he claims cause more accidents than they prevent.

Sen. William C. Mims, R-Loudoun and sponsor of one of the bills, said any increase in low-speed rear-end collisions is more than offset by a decrease in high-speed "T-bone" accidents that cause more injuries and even deaths.

Del. Albert Pollard, D-Lancaster, said that while photo monitoring is not needed in rural areas like the one he represents, traffic-choked northern Virginia is a different story.

"I can't say I like this legislation, but when you go up there it's the wild West," Pollard said. "People are getting killed."

He said the programs should be continued to "try to bring some order to Dodge City."

Said Republican Del. Clifford L. Athey of Warren County: "Even if it's the wild West, the citizens who live there have some constitutional rights." He cited the right to confront one's accuser and "the right of the individual to be left alone."

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)