By Jessica Bujol

The Associated Press

SALEM Despite complaints about increasing government surveillance, the Oregon House passed a bill Friday to expand the use of cameras that automatically snap photos of red-light runners at problem intersections.

”This is photocop. This is ‘The Truman Show.’ This is ‘1984’ in 2001,” said Rep. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene.

The measure, HB2380, will allow cameras to be operational only at four intersections an any given time in cities with more than 30,000 residents. Portland would be allowed to have cameras working at eight intersections.

The cameras are triggered by sensors in the road that detect when a car proceeds through an intersection only after the light has turned red.

Supporters of the measure, several of whom had personal experiences with careless drivers, said it will provide a deterrent.

”The bumper of the car my son was driving was taken off by a red-light runner,” said Rep. Phil Barnhart, D-Eugene.

Rep. Jeff Merkley, D-Portland, said he and his wife were also hit by a red-light runner. ”Our brand-new 1-month-old baby was in the back seat,” he said. ”It scared the living daylights out of us. If we had been just 10 feet further into that intersection, my wife and child could have been seriously injured, or worse.”

But opponents maintained the measure was too invasive and said it was the job of law enforcement to patrol busy intersections.

”Why don’t we actually put a cop on the street?” Rep. Jim Hill, R-Hillsboro, asked. ”The focus I think this is on is on revenue, not safety.”

Rep. Diane Rosenbaum, D-Portland, said statistics from other states have shown that the use of cameras resulted in a 60 percent drop in red-light violations.

”It’s really about a deterrent effect,” she said.

Nowadays, cameras are everywhere anyway, in places such as banks and convenience stores, Rep. Bill Morrisette said.

”If you get caught robbing a bank, invasion of privacy is not going to be your defense,” the Springfield Democrat said.

With a 37-11 vote, the measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.