McGee's bill would have limited the use of radar-activated cameras to neighborhoods and school zones. She even added a provision where citations would not be counted against the driving records of those whose photos were snapped as they sped through red lights.

But, for at least one legislator, that was enough to gut the bill.

"If it's such a problem, why are we removing the points?" asked Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, commenting about the $82 fine attached to failure-to-stop violations. "I've always been of the opinion that the fines are too cheap. In this state, people can afford to speed."

Rep. Todd Kaiser, R-Sandy, said he still feels the effects of an intersection crash that sent him "flying 400 feet in the opposite direction." But he still voted against the measure.

"I believe [speeding and running red lights] is a problem, but this bill is not the solution," he said. "There are personal rights that aren't being addressed."

Kaiser's logic mystified Salt Lake City resident Wally Jarman, who took out newspaper ads calling on legislators to pass the bill. Jarman's father died while riding in a taxi that was struck by a car running a red light.

"That makes no sense. 'I believe it's a problem but I'm not going to do anything about it?' Hello?" Jarman said. "So it's not a violation of personal rights to run red lights and kill people?"

PhotoCop was employed briefly in Layton, West Valley City and Sandy in the late 1990s. Critics called it a cash cow for the cities. Former Sen. Steve Rees, R-Bennion, later pushed a bill that killed PhotoCop after he was fined for a ticket intended for his son. The photo-taking device does not determine who is behind the wheel, only who owns the car.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard, once an opponent of PhotoCop, spoke in favor of the bill, saying that "other traffic-calming devices are ineffective" and cities need another option. The bill is supported by the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

McGee, D-Salt Lake City, isn't ready to declare PhotoCop dead. She is considering amending it to say the burden of proof is upon law enforcement to prove who is at the wheel when the violation occurs.

lorib@sltrib.com