A bill that would essentially stop cities from using red light and traffic cameras by making them too expensive to operate passed the Senate today.

A police officer's presence would be required for tickets to be issued from red-light cameras around Ohio under a bill that's cleared the Ohio Senate.

The officer requirement was among new statewide restrictions placed on the traffic-monitoring devices in legislation approved Wednesday in a bipartisan 24-9 vote. It goes next to the Ohio House.

Sen. William Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, said the bill addresses various legal issues arising from the devices. Fellow Republican Frank LaRose called the officer requirement "an effective ban" and voted no.

After surging in use, red-light cameras have faced increasing pushback, including legal challenges to their constitutionality and criticism they are nothing more than money-makers for cities.

Voters in Cleveland and one of its suburbs were the latest to ban the devices in November.

While the majority of state senators believe cities are using the cameras just to make money, Columbus officials believe they have proof red light cameras save lives.

Columbus Public Safety says they don't have the police officers available to watch over the intersections with the cameras and call the vote "disappointing."

Columbus points to an Ohio State University study showing there are 74 percent fewer crashes on intersections with red light cameras.

The city of Columbus says the cameras netted nearly $10 million in fines since 2006.

The red light camera bill still has to pass the Ohio House.