Coming To A Minneapolis Intersection Near You: Speeding, Red Light Cameras Could Start This August
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    18 years
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The City of Minneapolis is looking at doing this.
Do you have them in your area? Do they solve the problems?
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/coming-to-a-minnea...
A pilot program approved in 2024 would also be implemented in Mendota Heights.
New cameras could be installed at traffic lights as soon as August in Minneapolis, which would be used to issue citations to speeding drivers and red light-runners.
The proposed installation of the cameras are the result of a pilot program approved by state lawmakers in 2024, which would run from Aug. 1, 2025 through July 31, 2029.
Community feedback is still needed from residents on possible locations for cameras, with a feedback period being held in May. Plans are then expected to be finalized.
As part of the same pilot program, cameras are also expected to be installed at a number of red light intersections in Mendota Heights.
The proposal
The justification behind the program is to reduce speeding while improving pedestrian safety, as part of the city's 2023-2025 Vision Zero Action Plan.
A map of proposed locations for the cameras is shown below, courtesy of the City of Minneapolis, with the majority of cameras proposed to be placed in north Minneapolis and south Minneapolis just south of downtown, on busy roads including Nicollet Avenue South and Lyndale Avenue North.
It has been noted by some reacting to the proposed camera locations that there are concentrations in the city's lower-income neighborhoods.
Traffic Safety Camera Pilot map in Minneapolis
City of Minneapolis
Speed safety cameras already operate in 21 states and red light cameras are in 23 states, according to the proposal. A Minnesota Department of Transportation study conducted in 2023 found that "every methodological study of U.S. speed camera systems has found reductions in deaths, injuries, crashes and speeds." Other studies cited found a 19-56% reduction in severe or fatal crashes.
MnDOT figures state that in 2022 and 2023, 31 people were killed in crashes that involved speeding in Minneapolis, while 16 others were killed in crashes involving drivers going through red lights.
City of Minneapolis
Minneapolis had red light cameras installed in the 2000s before the program was struck down by the state Supreme Court in 2007.
According to the newer proposal, cameras can only record data if a violation is detected and traffic safety cameras can only be used for traffic safety enforcement and can't capture pictures that can identify people.
Additionally, cameras can only take picture of back license plate, and they can’t be used as license plate readers. The Minneapolis Police Department is also not allowed to implement or coordinate the program.
How it works
Minnesota drivers will have a one-month warning period at the pilot program's start and then each first violation is a warning.
After that, $40 citations will be issued to anyone speeding 10+ mph. If speeding 20+ mph over the limit, it is an $80 citation.
According to the proposal, an $84 maximum charge will accumulate if the person never pays the citation. Those ticketed are able to contest the citations.
Violations won't be shown on driving records and they can't be grounds for revoking or suspending a driver's license, arrest, or for towing a vehicle.
hello
hello
well
it's that time of year, when the north hates the metro, the metro hates the private schools, and EVERYONE hates Edina!
Speed cams not sure.
Red light cams, definitely helped until cars no longer need license plates (Phila.). I think it's bizarre, everyone else seems to feel it's normal.
But again, in a normal place where people have to have a license plate, a DL, insurance, etc., red light cams are effective.
Think about it, kids can stay on side in ice hockey and soccer. Cars, can stop before the light turns red.
But speed cams, imho they're not that effective because they usually allow a 11 mph leeway.
The State of Ohio
Allows red light cameras but they can only issue a citation if a law enforcement officer is present when the violation was committed. When they first implemented red light cameras the LEO requirement was not in effect. But as time went by, the public complained about the red light cameras and the Supreme Court came up with LEO requirement. Since then, a majority of the cities that were using them have discontinued the use of the cameras. I am a retired LEO and from my standpoint, they are not going to increase safety but will increase revenue for the municipalities.
"Everything I need can be found in the presence of God. Every. Single. Thing." Charley Hartmann 2/11/1956-6/11/2022
Big Presence in My MD County
In MD, speed cameras are governed by each county, and in my county (Montgomery), they are everywhere.
They do influence me to watch my speed, but other members of my family are not as prudent and I spend probably $1500 per year on these tickets.
RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot
many
In MD, speed cameras are governed by each county, and in my county (Montgomery), they are everywhere.
They do influence me to watch my speed, but other members of my family are not as prudent and I spend probably $1500 per year on these tickets.
years ago I want to say 15, they existed in MD, and the fine was so minimal, $40. Proof it was to get the speeds down. Plus, 11 over was ok. So 35 in a 25, no problem. 36, OK. 37, $40 fine. That's a huge leeway. What I also noticed is locals knew exactly where the permanent cam was, so they sped until the cam, then resumed speeding. But the quick answer, do they work? Yes, they do. They also know which car in 2+ lanes sped.
Personally I like RLC but not speed cams. But both are fair and effective. I'll never for the life of me understand the feeling that it's ok to break the law. If that's what one likes, come live in Phila. and take your plate off. You cannot be stopped for that. NYC takes a completely different approach to ghost cars.
Jim1348 wrote: The City of
The City of Minneapolis is looking at doing this.
Do you have them in your area? Do they solve the problems?
Our "illustrious" city council keeps making noises about installing them here at home. I hate the things with their false positives but I can understand why they want the things. The college students don't seem to know how to drive. Probably all too busy looking at their phones.
GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S
Hard Pass
No, it's not okay to speed or run red lights, but color me cynical (having lived more years in the Chicago area than anywhere else), but these things are revenue-raising money grabs first and foremost with safety a distant second priority. The companies come in and pitch the municipalities, "Hey, we'll take care of everything and split the money, and you'll see, it'll be great for both of us."
And due process has been a problem in some places. For example in Chicago when these cameras were introduced, people were getting ticketed for speeding in school zones, in vacation periods and in the middle of the night when school speed limits did not apply. And the tickets were not getting dismissed, because these tickets are not litigated in traffic court but by somebody related to the camera company.
"141 could draw faster than he, but Irving was looking for 143..."
for me
I am really annoyed when someone passes me in a school zone, or blows a school bus' reds. Is the penalty too harsh in PA? It's a mandatory suspension no different than DUI. It can be argued school buses make people late for work, AND, kids today are so slow walking to the bus even when it's waiting. So are these mitigating factors?
I'll say it again. First graders can stay on side in ice hockey and soccer, yet we argue around and around and say grown adults are not able to stop when a light turns red, a school bus' reds are on, nor follow the speed limit. I say, we all want what suits us the best, and for most of us, no, red light cams, speed cams, bus lane cams, school bus cams, these do nothing positive for us personally. But, they do benefit society en masse. It's interesting how this has been a non topic for a decade on this forum. Glad to see it's back.
I love the cliche "money grab." Is a county reassessment a "money grab?" No, because assessments are revenue blind. The mill rate decreases by the rate of the overall increase in assessment--for the median. This doesn't mean that someone who put on an addition without permits, doesn't get whacked when the reassessment is done (nearly impossible to beat now that drones are used and not people). Cams do not affect the median driver--only the people who don't follow the law.