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Iowa Senate rejects ban on traffic cameras, backs new rules

Since the cameras have been in place, red-light crashes have dropped 67% at four Davenport intersections.
red light camera

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would impose new rules for traffic enforcement cameras, but lawmakers rejected a proposed ban on the devices.

The Des Moines Register reports the Senate approved the bill Wednesday night after amending it to retain the cameras and impose the new rules.

Sen. Brad Zaun of Urbandale had sought to end use of the cameras but senators on a bipartisan vote decided to change the bill.

The cameras are used in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Muscatine, Davenport, Windsor Heights, Fort Dodge and Polk County.

Davenport leaders lobbied to keep the cameras in place, pointing out they have led to reductions in crashes at several intersections around the city. The city also takes in around $1.5 million per year from the cameras with those funds going directly back into public safety expenditures, city leaders said.

The new rules would require officials to justify use of the cameras, and money generated from tickets would only go toward road construction or public safety.

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