IA HOUSE PANEL VOTES TO BAN RED LIGHT CAMERAS

A House panel in Des Moines has voted to ban the use of automated red light cameras to enforce traffic laws.

The House Transportation Committee approved the ban Thursday on a 15-6 vote, sending it to the full House for debate.

Sioux City Democrat Chris Hall voted for the ban, but hopes some middle ground can be found:

Other backers say that public sentiment is overwhelmingly against using the cameras.

Opponents of the ban say the cameras make the roads safer and that should be the top priority for lawmakers.

They argue there's nothing underhanded about the cameras, which are being used in cities around the state such as Sioux City.

The Associated Press contributed to this story