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Calling Albuquerque's red-light cameras "money generating traps," a state senator has introduced a bill that would require the city to warn motorists of the cameras with a system of flashing yellow lights.

State Sen. William Payne, an Albuquerque Republican, says the red-light cameras do little to increase traffic safety and a lot to fill the city's coffers.

"They are a guise for making money for the city of Albuquerque," Payne said Monday in a news release.

That's misinformation, said Mayor Martin Chavez. All proceeds from the cameras, which automatically generate citations for speeding and running red lights, go to support the maintenance and expansion of the program, Chavez said.

The only exception, he said, was a $250,000 outlay last year to support prosecution of methamphetamine production and distribution.

"These cameras are not a cash cow for the city," Chavez said. "I've tried everything to cut down on speeding and red-light violations, and this program is the first thing that has worked."

Chavez also said the yellow warning beacons proposed by Payne would only serve as "more junk in the road to distract drivers."

According to Payne's news release, the warning beacons would be tied in to traffic signals and would start flashing before the signal's green light turns yellow.

"Unlike the yellow lights on the traffic signal itself, the flashing yellow beacon will be placed far enough in front of an intersection so motorists will have enough time to safely stop," the release states.

Police spokesman John Walsh said the yellow lights on traffic signals are already designed to give drivers time to stop, even if they are traveling faster than the speed limit.

"They give motorists a tremendous cushion or warning time," Walsh said.

Chavez said Payne is on the wrong side of the issue but acknowledged that the state could force the city to install the warning lights.

"They could make us install flashing yellow lights on every block warning people not to rob convenience stores," he said. "Is that a good use of taxpayer money?"

So far, 14 intersections have been outfitted with the red-light cameras, which the city leases from a private company. More are on the way, police say.

Since they were first installed in mid-2005, the cameras have generated about 80,000 tickets with fines totaling upward of $5 million.

They've also generated some controversy. A state district judge last month ruled against a woman who sued the city over her citation, saying the cameras are unconstitutional.

Officials with the city's police union have said the cameras aren't able to account for the range of circumstances faced by drivers.

The cameras operate under a public nuisance ordinance, meaning tickets issued by the system are civil rather than criminal violations.

Fines generally start at $100 and range upward depending on how fast a motorist was driving and how many prior violations they've had.

The city is considering changing some traffic lights so that the green light starts flashing several seconds before it turns yellow, Chavez said.

The intersections outfitted with red-light cameras have signs that warn motorists.