The Missouri Senate has rejected a bill that would have banned the use of red light cameras in the state.

The ban would have outlawed the use of red light cameras and could have put a stop to St Joseph’s efforts to install the cameras at busy intersection in the city.

St Joseph officials announced earlier this month that they may install red light cameras within 90 days, pending a vote of the City Council.

State Senator Luann Ridgeway of Smithville supported the ban.

“I think it’s a really good idea because these things punish cars and not wrong doers, that’s kind-of silly,” she said.

Senator Jolie Justus of Kansas City would rather let the cities decide whether to use red light cameras.

“I actually have never been a huge fan of these but I do think this is a local control issue and I would hate to mess with it on a state level,” Justus said.

After several senators argued passionately in favor of banning the cameras, the senate voted against the ban by a two to one margin.  There is little chance the legislation will surface again this session as it ends Friday evening.

The St Joseph City Council will vote May 16th whether to allow red light cameras in the city and how the program would work.

The fine for a red-light violation will be $100. Tickets related to red-light cameras will not be considered a moving violation and will not add points to a driver’s license.