Minneapolis speed cameras cut speeding 30%; citations begin Friday
Minneapolis this week activated five traffic‑safety cameras (Fremont Ave N near W Broadway; 18th Ave NE near Central Ave NE; 3rd St N near 1st Ave N; Chicago Ave S near Franklin Ave E; Nicollet Ave S near 46th St) as part of a pilot through July 2029 that could expand to 42 cameras and later add red‑light enforcement; the cameras capture license plates only (no facial recognition) and enforcement areas are signed as required by state law. Preliminary results show speeding fell about 30% at the camera sites and drivers exceeding limits by 20+ mph dropped 76% after a month, with 12,633 warnings issued; October warnings count as a first offense, citations begin Friday (first detected offense is a warning) and subsequent fines are $40 or $80 if 20+ mph over, though drivers may contest tickets or take a free traffic‑safety class in lieu of paying the first citation.
📌 Key Facts
- Minneapolis activated automated speed cameras at five initial locations: Fremont Ave N near W Broadway; 18th Ave NE near Central Ave NE; 3rd St N near 1st Ave N; Chicago Ave S near Franklin Ave E; and Nicollet Ave S near 46th St. Two additional cameras (eastbound 18th Ave and northbound Nicollet at 46th) were added Nov. 1.
- Cameras were turned on earlier for a warning period; citations begin Friday. The first detected offense above 10 mph over the limit is treated as a warning, and October warnings count as a first offense when citations start.
- Fines: $40 for speeding more than 10 mph over the limit and $80 for more than 20 mph over. Drivers may contest tickets or take a free traffic‑safety class in lieu of paying the first citation.
- Privacy and signage: the cameras capture license plates only (no facial recognition), and state law requires warning signs in enforcement areas.
- Pilot details and expansion: the speed‑camera pilot runs through July 2029, the city could expand to a maximum of 42 cameras citywide, and officials plan to add red‑light enforcement cameras next year under the pilot.
- Early safety results at the original five sites after one month showed a roughly 30% reduction in speeding overall, a 76% decline in drivers going 20+ mph over the limit, and 98% of drivers traveling at or below the camera threshold (under 10 mph over).
- Enforcement counts: 12,633 warning notices were issued in the first month; about 150 potential warnings were rejected due to image/verification issues or emergency responses. Site‑level warning totals included about 3,001 at Nicollet & 46th, just over 2,750 at 3rd St near 1st Ave N, and 685 at 18th Ave near Central.
📰 Sources (3)
- Preliminary results show a 30% reduction in speeding at the five camera locations after one month.
- Drivers going 20+ mph over the limit fell by 76% compared to pre‑camera rates.
- Overall, 98% of drivers traveled at or below the camera threshold (under 10 mph over).
- 12,633 warning notices were issued during the first month; about 150 potential warnings were rejected due to image/verification issues or emergency responses.
- Site‑level counts: ~3,001 warnings at Nicollet & 46th; just over 2,750 at 3rd St near 1st Ave N; 685 at 18th Ave near Central.
- Two additional cameras (eastbound 18th Ave and northbound Nicollet at 46th) were added Nov. 1.
- Citations start Friday: first offense still gets a warning; second offense is $40, or $80 if 20+ mph over; October warnings count as a first offense.
- Drivers can contest tickets or take a free traffic‑safety class in lieu of paying the first citation.
- City plans to add red‑light enforcement cameras next year under the pilot.
- Five initial camera locations: Fremont Ave N near W Broadway; 18th Ave NE near Central Ave NE; 3rd St N near 1st Ave N; Chicago Ave S near Franklin Ave E; Nicollet Ave S near 46th St W.
- Launches Tuesday this week; first detected offense above 10 mph over limit results in a warning.
- Subsequent fines: $40 for >10 mph over, $80 for >20 mph over.
- Cameras capture license plates only; no facial recognition used.
- State law requires warning signs in the enforcement areas.
- Pilot runs through July 2029; plan to expand to a maximum of 42 cameras citywide and later add red-light enforcement.