Last year we penned a blog that took a closer look at the speeding camera pilot program that was to be rolled out in select locations across Minneapolis. Five specific locations were chosen to have speed cameras installed in hopes of getting drivers to be more aware of their speed, but just how effective has the program been? We take a closer look at Minneapolis’ speed camera pilot program in today’s blog.
Speeding Cameras An Early Success
It’s been about a year since the speeding cameras were erected in key areas across Minneapolis, and while some have learned about their presence the hard way, others have said that the program has been quite a success.
“In that first year we’ve seen consistently reductions in speeding across all five of our traffic safety camera locations,” said Ethan Fawley, Transportation Planning Manager for the City of Minneapolis. “Compared to that first month (October 2025), we’ve got more than 110,000 fewer speeders going by these locations.”
Moreover, the number of people driving at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit has dropped nearly 50%, while the number of people driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit is down more than 60%. The five locations where the speeding cameras are located are:
- Third Street North near First Avenue
- Fremont Avenue North near West Broadway Avenue
- 18th Avenue Northeast near Central Avenue Northeast
- Chicago Avenue near Franklin Avenue East
- Nicolet Avenue near 46th Street West
The biggest reduction in traffic danger was on Nicolet Avenue. In the program’s first month, 8,400 drivers were caught going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit in the southbound lanes. From January to June this year, the monthly average was only 2,500.
Plenty Of Warnings
There are a few signs set up along the streets to let drivers know that speeding camera enforcement is coming up and that they’d be wise to mind their speed, but there are other forms of warnings as well. If you’re caught traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, the camera takes a picture of your license plate and you’ll receive a written warning in the mail. If you’re again caught going more than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, or your first offense involves going 20 miles an hour or more above the posted speed limit, you’ll earn a $40 citation that may be eligible to be dropped by completing a free traffic safety course. Subsequent violations are not eligible to be dropped.
A spokesperson for the city noted that 67,146 drivers received a speed warning during the program’s first year, while another 24,125 drivers received a citation. Speeding has dropped at all five locations, and city officials are still working to see if crash analysis data has followed a similar trend.
“We’ve seen from camera systems in other states that they always are reducing speeds, reducing crashes, reducing injuries and reducing deaths,” Fawley said.
City officials are quick to note that the speeding camera systems do not operate like a license plate reader or Flock camera. A picture of the offending vehicle’s license plate is only taken if a trigger-worthy speed is detected by the automated system.
The speeding camera pilot program will run through July 2029. Keep your speed in check in these areas and throughout Minnesota, and if you need help contesting a speeding ticket or another traffic offense, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277
