Iowa DOT Approves Few Traffic Cameras Under New Law

(Des Moines) The Iowa Department of Transportation has approved only 11 traffic cameras across five cities and denied 128 requests. This decision stems from a new state law requiring cities to justify using such cameras. Cedar Rapids received approval for four cameras, while other cities like Marion rejected all their requests. The law ensures traffic cameras are used appropriately for safety rather than revenue generation.

The news legislation required local governments to receive permits from the Iowa Department of Transportation before implementing automatic traffic enforcement (ATE) systems. It also set standards for fines collected on speeding violations recorded by traffic cameras—the maximum is $500 for drivers reaching more than 30 miles per hour above the speed limit.

To get a traffic camera permit from the DOT, Iowa cities and counties would have to provide the department with an explanation for why the cameras are needed at the location, including records on the number and severity of accidents, drivers’ speeds, and related safety concerns at the spot. The bill does not allow tickets to be issued for speeding violations under 10 miles per hour above the speed limit. Warning signs must be placed between 500 and 1,000 feet before any cameras.

Local governments with populations at or below 20,000 would not be allowed to use mobile traffic camera technologies to issue tickets but could still use them to issue warnings. Cities and counties would also be required to use the funds collected from cameras for transportation infrastructure improvement or for operational costs for local police and fire departments.