Speeding convictions in Iowa rose in 2023, but still were down about 17 percent from a decade ago -- a decline that some law enforcement officials believe isn’t due to drivers speeding any less, but rather reduced enforcement as agencies cope with staff shortages and increased workloads.
Cities would be required to apply for a state permit to operate automated traffic enforcement cameras, and spend ticket revenue on public safety or transportation infrastructure.
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Under the bill, cities with existing systems like Cedar Rapids would need to apply for approval but could continue using the cameras until the request is processed.
Cedar Rapids' police chief joined other law enforcement officials in the state in advocating support for proposed legislation that would regulate the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras on interstates and highways across the state.
The city of University Heights is working to install speed enforcement cameras on Melrose Avenue and Koser Avenue, the two main east/west thoroughfares through the city, which is surrounded by Iowa City.
Police support bill that would require state approval before cities install devices
Also, lawmakers advance traffic camera ban, hands-free driving bill
Also, a bill that combines a ban on automated traffic enforcement cameras with a requirement for only hands-free use of mobile devices while driving advanced.
Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, has been working for years to ban the use of traffic cameras in Iowa; this year he has combined his legislative proposal with a hands-free device use while driving.
Sen. Brad Zaun has pushed to ban the traffic cameras ever since he received a citation in 2011 after a camera captured his son speeding while driving the senator’s vehicle in Cedar Rapids.
The city of Marion has earned $136,480 from traffic camera citations since cameras were installed at two intersections in the city last summer, but that money only comes from about 37 percent of the citations that have been issued. The rest had not yet been paid, as of Dec. 31.
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Traffic cameras at two intersections in Marion issued more than 1,200 citations in the first 30 days after the trial period for the cameras ended.
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