Minneapolis traffic safety cameras show 30% reduction in high-risk speeds on city streets

Initial data from the City of Minneapolis' traffic safety camera pilot program shows speeding is down at camera locations across the city in the program's first month. As the program transitions tomorrow from its warnings-only launch to officially issuing citations, the City is releasing preliminary findings of the pilot's impact.

Comparing data from the pilot's first month to analysis conducted prior to the program launch, City staff found:

• Across all five camera locations over the first month of operations, the rate of drivers recorded traveling 10 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by almost 30 percent compared to the rate prior to installation.
  

• Across all five camera locations over the first month of operations, the rate of drivers recorded traveling 20 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by 76 percent compared to the rate prior to installation.
  

• The vast majority of drivers - 98% - are not violating the traffic safety cameras

These positive initial results can only be attributed to signage and initial warnings sent out. Results in other cities with traffic safety camera programs have shown further reductions in unsafe speeding as more people receive warnings and citations are issued.

Warnings and citations

Beginning Friday, November 7 , the City will begin to issue citations to drivers detected travelling 10 or more miles over the speed limit. A Minneapolis traffic control agent will verify all potential violations and issue a warning or citation as appropriate:

• For all first-time violations, the City will issue warnings. Any warnings received during the first month of the program count toward a first-time violation.

• For any additional offenses, drivers will receive a $40 fine. Driving 20 or more miles per hour over the speed limit will result in an $80 fine.

• Drivers can take a free traffic safety class instead of paying a fine for their first citation.

• Vehicle owners are not liable if their car was stolen or if they were not driving at the time of the violation. A sworn statement must be provided.

Warning or citation notices will arrive in the mail and are sent to the registered owner of the cited vehicle. People who receive a violation will be able to go to a secure website run by the City's traffic safety camera vendor, NovoaGlobal, to see pictures and video of the violation. They will also be able to submit information directly through that website if they think the citation should be dismissed. This will allow people to address most cases without having to do a court hearing. As with any traffic citation, people will pay fines through the Courts and also can schedule a hearing to contest the citation. More information about warnings and citations can be found on the Traffic Safety Camera Pilot webpage .

Traffic safety cameras may only be used for traffic enforcement and may only capture a picture/video of the back of the vehicle. The cameras must blur out any people who happened to be captured in a picture.

Traffic safety cameras are meant to shift driver behavior and save lives, not to generate revenue. As required by state law, any revenue from fines will be used to cover implementation costs and investments in other traffic safety/calming measures.