When drivers know that they are going to be held responsible for traffic violations, they are much less likely to commit traffic violations. St. Louis has considered installing the cameras, but is waiting for state approval, says Stephen Runde, the city's traffic commissioner. Seven states, including California and New York, have red-light camera laws. Ten states, such as Illinois and Georgia, proposed legislation this year. Others, like Iowa and Arizona, use camera enforcement without laws specifying that they can.
Some governments are reluctant to install the cameras because of concerns over privacy.
Legislation has been proposed in Missouri to allow such enforcement, but has not been approved. Runde says he expects a bill to be proposed again next year. But if it passes, there is still the matter of funding, he says. St. Louis has 650 intersections with traffic signals. But we can't enforce that until the law says we can.