HARRISBURG (AP) — A proposal to allow local police to use radar to catch speeding motorists is on its way to the state House after nearly unanimous approval in the Senate.

Senators voted 49 to 1 on Tuesday for a bill that local departments have long sought.

The legislation sponsored by Sen. Mario Scavello of Monroe County.

“All states but Pennsylvania permit their local police to use radar for monitoring traffic speed. In Pennsylvania, only the State Police are currently authorized to use radar,” said Scavello. “It makes no sense that the state allows municipalities to use red light cameras to curtail unsafe driving, but does not allow the use of this World War II era technology.”

Scavello noted speed as a factor in a recent pedestrian fatality in Mount Pocono, Monroe County, at a heavily congested intersection where high speed has contributed to a history of crashes. “The only way the local police can enforce and enforce properly is with radar,” he said.

Current Pennsylvania law lets only state police use radar, while local police must use other methods to figure out how fast people are driving.

A similar measure passed the Senate during the last session but died in the House.

If the proposal is enacted, local governments would have to post signs warning motorists that they are using radar.