116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Fines begin for violators caught by Marion traffic cameras
Fines start Tuesday for speeders and red-light runners at two intersections
Sep. 19, 2023 5:30 am, Updated: Sep. 19, 2023 8:44 am
MARION — A 30-day warning period for new automatic traffic cameras at two intersections in Marion ended Monday — meaning drivers caught on camera driving too fast or running red lights now will receive a citation in the mail.
Background
The Marion City Council began discussing installing traffic cameras in February in response to a police staffing shortage. Marion Police Chief Mike Kitsmiller made a presentation requesting cameras at the intersection of Highways 13 and 151, and the intersection of Highway 100 and East Post Road.
In April, the council adopted an ordinance that added language to the city code allowing for the installation of traffic cameras. The city put out a call for proposals and in May the council approved a contract with Beverly, Mass.-based Sensys Gatso USA. The company will maintain the cameras at the two intersections, plus a mobile speed unit.
The initial contract will last for five years, and may be extended on a two-year basis.
The cameras went live on Aug. 18. For the first 30 days of the cameras’ operation, the registered owner of a vehicle caught speeding at 11 mph or more over the speed limit or running red lights at the intersections would receive a warning in the mail.
What’s happened since
More than 1,000 warning citations were issued by the two cameras during the 30-day period — most of which were red light citations.
As of Sept. 14, the camera the Highway 100 and East Post Road intersection had caught 1,108 red light violations and 127 speeding violations. The camera at Highways 13 and 151 caught 389 red light violations and 26 speeding violations in the same time period, according to the Marion Police Department.
Starting Tuesday, violations caught by the cameras will result in a citation mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Red light violations carry a fine of $100. Fines for speeding violations start at $75 for 11 mph over the limit, and then vary upward depending on speeds.
Marion traffic camera fines
| Mph over speed limit | Civil Fine | Construction Zone |
| 11 to 20 | $75 | $150 |
| 21 to 25 | $100 | $200 |
| 26 to 30 | $250 | $500 |
| 31 or more | $500 | $750 |
There was no upfront cost to the city for the installation of the cameras, but Sensys Gato will receive $35 from every paid citation made through the traffic cameras.
The mobile camera unit will be placed in areas throughout the city to monitor for speeding. The mobile unit will be used based on citizen complaints, and the police department will post information about its location on its Facebook page at least 12 hours before it is deployed.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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