Minneapolis speed cameras cut speeding over 50%; 33,000 violations logged in first year
Minneapolis’s speed‑camera pilot at five initial intersections produced large drops in speeding — city data show drivers exceeding the limit by 10+ mph fell about 51% (20+ mph down ~58%) and overall speeding was down more than 40% — and in 2025 the program logged 33,829 violations (29,504 warnings, 4,325 citations). The pilot, which added two more cameras Nov. 1 and may rotate sites under a state cap of 42, issues a warning for a first offense and fines ($40 for >10 mph, $80 for >20 mph) for repeat or higher‑speed violations, and cost roughly $956,000 in 2025 while generating about $18,000 in citation revenue.
📌 Key Facts
- Minneapolis installed five initial speed‑camera sites: 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 W. Two additional cameras (eastbound 18th Ave and northbound Nicollet at 46th) were added Nov. 1.
- Enforcement policy: the first detected speeding event above 10 mph over the limit was issued as a warning; subsequent violations are fined ($40 for >10 mph over, $80 for >20 mph over). Early warning notices counted as first offenses, citations began later, and drivers may contest tickets or take a free traffic‑safety class in lieu of paying the first citation.
- Program volume in 2025: the pilot logged 33,829 violations (29,504 warnings and 4,325 citations). During the first month alone, about 12,633 warning notices were issued (with roughly 150 potential warnings rejected for image/verification issues or emergency responses).
- Multiple measures show substantial declines in speeding where cameras operate: an initial one‑month analysis reported about a 30% reduction at the five sites; one reporter found drivers 20+ mph over fell 76% and 98% of drivers traveled at or below the camera threshold; a later city report to the council found overall speeding down more than 40%, speeding by at least 10 mph down 51% and speeding by at least 20 mph down 58% at the five locations.
- Pilot cost and revenue: the program cost more than $955,900 to run in 2025 but generated just over $18,000 in citation revenue, indicating it did not pay for itself in that period.
- Pilot duration and expansion plans: the pilot runs through July 2029, with plans to rotate locations under a state cap of 42 sites; the city plans to add more speed cameras and to introduce red‑light enforcement cameras (one or two locations planned and broader red‑light enforcement under the pilot in the coming year).
- Privacy and equipment limits: cameras are configured to capture only license plates (rear plates when violations occur), are not used for facial recognition, and cannot be used as automatic license‑plate readers or for non‑traffic‑enforcement purposes; state law requires warning signage in enforcement areas.
📊 Relevant Data
In Minneapolis from 2017 to 2021, Black residents, who comprise 19% of the population, accounted for 26% of people killed in vehicle crashes, indicating an overrepresentation.
Safety Data - City of Minneapolis — City of Minneapolis
In Minneapolis from 2017 to 2021, Native American residents, who comprise 1% of the population, accounted for 4% of people killed in vehicle crashes and 5% of people killed in pedestrian and bicycle crashes, indicating significant overrepresentation.
Safety Data - City of Minneapolis — City of Minneapolis
A 2024 study in London found that speed cameras reduced collisions by 5% and injuries by 2.5% per month on average, preventing approximately 15 to 20 crashes and 0.9 to 1.4 deaths per month.
Speed cameras lower speeds and prevent crashes, new research confirms — SSTI
A 2022 study found that when accounting for miles traveled by biking, walking, or driving, Black and Hispanic Americans experience higher motor vehicle-related death rates than White Americans in the US.
Racial Disparities in Traffic Fatalities Wider Than Previously Known — Boston University School of Public Health
A 2024 study in Chicago found that police stop more Black drivers, while speed cameras issue tickets in a less biased manner relative to the racial composition of road users.
Police stop more Black drivers, while speed cameras issue unbiased tickets − new study from Chicago — Alaska Beacon
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- City’s forthcoming report to the Minneapolis City Council finds speeding by at least 10 mph is down 51% and speeding by at least 20 mph is down 58% at the five camera locations, with overall speeding down more than 40%.
- In 2025 the program logged 33,829 violations, of which 29,504 were warnings and 4,325 resulted in citations.
- The pilot cost more than $955,900 to run in 2025 but generated just over $18,000 in citation revenue, underscoring that it is not presently paying for itself.
- Minneapolis plans to add one or two red‑light camera locations and more speed cameras by May 2026, with locations rotating under a state cap of 42 sites.
- The article reiterates that cameras are configured to capture only rear license plates when a potential violation occurs and cannot be used as automatic license‑plate readers or for non‑traffic‑enforcement purposes.
- 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.