Minneapolis — On October 1, 2025, Minneapolis activated its first-ever traffic safety cameras at five high-risk intersections. This initiative is part of the city’s Vision Zero program, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries.
The pilot program is set to run through July 2029, with the potential to expand to up to 42 locations across the city.
Program details
The selected intersections for the pilot are:
- Fremont Ave. N near W. Broadway Ave. N
- 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
These locations were chosen based on traffic safety concerns, with all being within 2,000 feet of a school. The cameras are designed to enforce speed limits, capturing images of vehicles exceeding the posted limits. Citations will be issued to the registered vehicle owner, not the driver, in compliance with a 2007 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling.
Enforcement and penalties
During the first 30 days, violators will receive warnings. After this period, fines will be imposed for speeding violations:
- $40 for speeds exceeding the limit by 10 mph
- $80 for speeds exceeding the limit by 20 mph
Drivers who receive a citation may contest it in court. Citations will not appear on a driver’s record and cannot lead to license suspension. First-time offenders may opt to attend a free traffic safety class instead of paying the fine.
City officials emphasized that the primary goal of the program is to improve road safety, not to generate revenue. The initiative is a response to rising traffic fatalities, many of which are attributed to speeding. Since 2020, speeding has been a leading cause of severe crashes in Minneapolis.
The program operates under state legislation that addresses issues of fairness, equity, privacy, and trust. All potential violations will be reviewed by trained Minneapolis traffic control agents. Annual reports will share data on citations, costs, and revenue. By law, any revenue generated must be reinvested into traffic safety improvements.
