New research from the National Coalition for Safer Roads, a group advocating for the use of red light cameras, shows that 71 percent of Missouri's registered voters support the use of the cameras at dangerous intersections.
The study, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies also shows that 47 percent of Missouri's registered voters "strongly support" the cameras.
Zachary Bauer is with WrongOnRed.com, a group that opposes the use of red light cameras in Missouri. He doubts public support is that strong.
"It's failed every single time anywhere in the United States that it's ever been put on a ballot," Bauer said, "That's 15 times total that I know of so far. So, if there's so much public support for this, how come it's failed every single time it's been put on a ballot anywhere in the United States of America?"
The poll of 600 registered voters was conducted in late January. At least one area town has decided to remove the cameras, saying they weren't making a significant difference.
David Kelly is the executive director of the Coalition.
"There's a very important debate going on right now in the legislature about the use of these systems and we really think that everybody needs to have all of the information and all of the facts," Kelly said, "We want to make sure that everybody understands that there is general support, broad support and very strong support for the camera systems in Missouri."
The Missouri legislature is holding a hearing today on a bill that would prohibit the use of red light cameras. Supporters of the bill argue that red light cameras rob citizens of due process.
