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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minneapolis Considers 11 More Traffic Cameras After Pilot Shows Sharp Decline in Speeding
City data show speeding fell at every initial camera location as Minneapolis weighs expanding automated enforcement and adding red-light cameras.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (September 5, 2026). Minneapolis could expand its automated traffic-enforcement network by as many as 11 additional cameras after early data showed substantial reductions in speeding at each of the city's initial camera locations.
The city's pilot program began issuing warnings in October 2025 and citations the following month after Minnesota lawmakers granted Minneapolis limited authority to use automated traffic enforcement.
Minneapolis initially installed cameras at five locations across the city.
The sites include 3rd Street North near 1st Avenue North, Fremont Avenue North near West Broadway Avenue, 18th Avenue Northeast near Central Avenue, Chicago Avenue near Franklin Avenue and Nicollet Avenue near West 46th Street.
City data show average daily speeding violations across the initial locations dropped from 73.1 per location in October 2025 to 24 in December, a decline of approximately 67 percent during the first three months.
More recent data cited by FOX 9 show the decline has continued, including an approximately 69 percent reduction in vehicles traveling at least 20 mph over the speed limit.
Minneapolis currently operates eight cameras across five locations.
City officials had previously identified 11 additional high-priority locations as candidates for future expansion and have also contemplated introducing automated red-light enforcement.
A final decision on the next expansion has not yet been announced.
The program operates differently from a conventional traffic stop.
A driver's first qualifying speeding offense generates a warning.
Subsequent violations can result in a $40 civil citation for traveling 10 to 19 mph over the speed limit and an $80 citation for exceeding the limit by at least 20 mph.
The citations generally do not become part of the motorist's driving record.
Vehicle owners can also challenge citations when they were not driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.
Privacy protections are built into the pilot.
According to Minneapolis, cameras may capture only the rear license plate and associated violation footage. They are not permitted to photograph occupants or operate as general automatic license-plate readers.
Camera data may be used only for enforcing qualifying traffic violations.
The program produced 29,504 warnings and 4,325 citations during 2025, according to the city's first annual report.
Minneapolis spent approximately $955,918 launching and operating the system during that initial period.
The city has repeatedly said the program is intended to change driving behavior rather than function as a revenue-generating system. State law requires any qualifying excess revenue to support traffic-calming and safety measures.
Council Member Michael Rainville has pointed to the reduction in speeding as evidence supporting expansion, arguing that automated enforcement can improve pedestrian and roadway safety while reducing police involvement in routine traffic stops.
The pilot authority remains temporary.
State authorization currently runs through July 31, 2029, and limits where Minneapolis may place cameras while requiring evaluation, transparency and privacy safeguards.
The developing question is therefore no longer simply whether traffic cameras can issue citations.
Minneapolis now has evidence suggesting motorists change their behavior when cameras are present.
The next decision is how far the city should expand a system that has already begun changing the way traffic laws are enforced on Minneapolis streets.
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