Suffolk legislators voted Tuesday night to commence a six-month study on the effectiveness of the county's red-light camera program. 

The votes fell along party lines, with Democrats in favor the study and some Republicans calling for the camera program to shut down altogether.

"You speak to people, and they tell you it's no longer about public safety," said Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, a Lindenhurst Republican. "It's about revenue."

McCaffrey argued that the cameras have actually made some intersections more dangerous -- especially in terms of rear-end collisions.

"We found out that at almost half of the intersections, accidents with injuries have gone up," he said.

McCaffrey's bill to suspend the controversial program failed to pass committee, so the Legislature voted on the study.

"We agree that there are issues with the red-light camera program," said Legislator Sarah Anker, a Democrat from Mount Sinai. "We agree that the incidents and accidents have increased. And that's why this report needs to be done."

The study will cost the county $250,000, which Legislator Rob Trotta called a waste of taxpayer money.