No, Red Light And Speed Cameras Are Not 'Unconstitutional' In MN

MINNEAPOLIS — Fifteen years after the Minnesota Supreme Court put the kibosh on Minneapolis' red light camera program, the city is again considering the use of cameras in traffic enforcement.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is also exploring the use of cameras as a tool to reduce speeding in and near work zones.

Contrary to popular belief, the state's high court has not found red light cameras unconstitutional. They do currently violate state law, however.

In July 2005, Minneapolis began enforcing a "photo cop" ordinance, which authorized photo enforcement of traffic control signals.

The law was challenged in court. In 2007, the state's high court ruled that the ordinance violated a Minnesota law requiring all traffic regulations to be uniform across the state.

Specifically, the photo cop program conflicted with state law by penalizing the vehicle owner, not the driver, for red-light violations.

"The Minnesota Supreme Court did not reject the use of automated enforcement, nor the use of owner-liability to enforce traffic violations on constitutional grounds," notes MnDOT's 2022 Work Zone Speed Management report.

"In order to implement [speed cameras] with owner-liability, the legislature must expressly authorize the owner-liability for identified offenses."

Minneapolis is already working with state lawmakers to give the city legislative authority to implement a speed cameras pilot program.

Why speed cameras?

Between 2017 and 2021, an average of 150 people each year suffered life-changing injuries or were killed in traffic crashes on Minneapolis streets. In 2021, speeding was a factor in 65 percent of fatal crashes, according to officials.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, speed cameras can reduce injury crashes by up to 47 percent on busy streets. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives automated enforcement its highest effectiveness rating.

Speed cameras also eliminate the need for "officer interaction," a recent Minneapolis report noted. The city said it will prioritize equity and privacy in any speed camera program it implements.

Minneapolis was involved in crafting HF4242 last session, a bill the city says "includes best practices to protect privacy, ensure fairness, and support equity."

The bill did not pass, "but did have a positive House committee hearing."

Officials will continue working with state lawmakers next year.