The Iowa Supreme Court Friday upheld the city of Davenport's use of traffic cameras to catch speeders and drivers who run red lights.

In a split ruling, the court decided the cameras do not violate the defendant's right to due process. The ruling involved the case of a man who challenged the city's ordinance, which authorized the use of cameras and sensors to catch motorists who violate traffic laws.

Thomas Seymour received a citation in 2006 after a camera recorded him traveling 49 mph in a 35 mph zone. He received a $60 ticket in the mail and claimed he was denied his rights to due process.

At issue was whether the city had the authority to implement such an ordinance, which penalizes the owner of the vehicle and not necessarily the driver.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a motion to dismiss the ticket. A Scott County judge rejected the group's arguments and so did an appeals court judge. That prompted the ACLU to request that the Supreme Court review the case.

Seymour argued that Davenport's ordinance conflicted with state law, but the court ruled the state law authorizes cities to establish traffic laws and does not prohibit cities from using traffic cameras to enforce those laws.