State lawmakers yesterday advanced a proposal for the use of cameras that snap pictures of cars running red lights, but killed a proposal that would have revived the once-dreaded "van cams."

The red-light camera law would allow photographing vehicles that are in mid-intersection when the light turns red, and issuing citations to the vehicle's legal owner. Cameras could be attached to traffic signals, light poles or other apparatuses. Fines would range between $90 and $200.

The House bill gives the counties the revenue from fines collected. The counties would decided where to mount the cameras. Signs notifying motorists of the camera system would be posted.

The bill would give the counties the option to implement the system but each county would have to approve ordinances before enacting any program.

"Police can't be everywhere at all times," said Brennon Morioka, director of the state Department of Transportation. "Being able to identify those intersections that have a prevalence of people trying to run the red light and putting out added signage notifying drivers that the intersection is being monitored, will we believe deter people from speeding through the intersection and therefore reduce the likelihood of major accidents and fatalities."

Red-light cameras are operating in more than 200 communities in 22 states and Washington, D.C., according to the Hawaii Insurers Council.

Photos taken would be mailed along with accompanying traffic citations to the registered owners of vehicles. A vehicle owner who could prove he or she was not driving the car at the time of the violation could show up in court and ask to have the citation thrown out.

"Cameras are good tools for traffic violations because they can see you," said Rep. Joseph Souki, D-8th (Wailuku, Waihe'e, Waiehu), chairman of the House Transportation Committee. "I was disappointed I didn't have any police support for either one; they didn't provide any testimony."

The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary and Finance committees and must advance out of those committees before a final vote is taken by the House.

The office of the Honolulu city prosecutor supported the red-light camera bill while the office of the state public defender came out against it.

"We support the concept of using photo traffic enforcement as a part of a traffic safety program," according to testimony submitted by city prosecutor Peter Carlisle. "When used appropriately, we believe that photo enforcement can help in increasing public awareness of traffic safety issues and can decrease traffic injuries and fatalities."

Timothy Ho, chief deputy public defender, said the proposed bill fails to consider the rights of the accused.

"Although we believe that strict enforcement of our traffic laws results in a reduction in traffic accidents and increased public safety, we do not believe this measure appropriately balances the rights of the accused violators with the public's interest in traffic safety," Ho said in his submitted written testimony.

The so-called "van cams" — roving vans equipped with cameras intended to catch drivers running red lights and speeders — were approved by the Legislature in 2001 but repealed in 2002 in the wake of public outcry.

A similar concept that would have given counties the authority to use red-light cameras resurfaced in 2005 and won state House approval, but was killed in the Senate.

Souki revived a measure that would bring back remote controlled speed monitoring devices but it was deferred by state lawmakers yesterday.

"It's not dead, just deferred waiting to be given life at some point in time maybe not this year but next year," said Souki. "I just wanted to bring it back to see if there was a pulse, but not too much pulse for it. I need to let it rest a little bit."