ROADSIDE cameras that angered Oahu motorists seven years ago might be on their way back, although in a less controversial setting. Gov. Linda Lingle has proposed allowing counties to place cameras at intersections to catch drivers running red lights. Legislative transportation leaders should give the proposal a green light, allowing mayors to make the ultimate decision.

Cameras operated from white vans hired by the state Department of Transportation to catch speeders ran into problems in 2002 when challenged as an invasion of privacy because of Social Security numbers then on some Hawaii driver's licenses, which is no longer the case. The program, which was to include red-light cameras, was scrapped.

More than 100 communities nationwide are equipped with red-light cameras, compared with only 21 with cameras to nab speeders. Crashes at intersections caused by running red lights cause 260,000 injuries and 750 fatalities a year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Recent studies have shown red-light cameras to be successful in deterring violations. Introduction of cameras in 2007 virtually eliminated red-light violations at two problem intersections in Philadelphia. A study cited by the Federal Highway Administration showed that red-light violations fell by 68 percent in San Francisco and 92 percent in Los Angeles after cameras were installed.

Since the cameras are stationary, unlike the camera-equipped cars used to catch speeders, the company performing the function cannot flexibly increase the number of violators to increase its revenue.