It’s not right’, say drivers who after the crackdown made US$6 million in income from fines – the new law will give them a break

DRIVERS have accused transport bosses of using speed cameras to fill the city’s coffers after racking up $6 million in fines.

But Iowa cities and counties have been warned that “the cash cow is about to run dry” due to the tough new rules.

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Iowa cities must now prove they are using speed cameras to increase traffic safety — rather than raising money through fines, which are limited.

“Guess what, Le Claire, Iowa? Your cash cow is about to run dry,” said an emotional driver on social media.

And a civil liberties advocate criticized authorities for committing “road robberies” by imposing heavy fines on drivers.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill last week, House Archive 2681that limits how and when cities and counties can use traffic cameras to issue tickets.

These are defined as a “camera or other optical device designed to work in conjunction with a speed measuring device to detect
motor vehicles being operated in violation of the speed limit.”

Requires local authorities to hold a valid license from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) before using these types of devices.

TO ALLOW

“The DOT is authorized to determine whether an Automatic Traffic Enforcement (ATE) system is appropriate and necessary and the least restrictive means of resolving traffic safety issues at a location,” according to the new regulations.

This means local authorities must apply for a permit from the DOT to use these cameras in Iowa.

The law also prohibits authorities from issuing speeding tickets to drivers who drive less than 10 miles over the limit.

“A local authority is only authorized to use an ATE system to issue citations for traffic violations that exceed the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour,” it said.

Lt. Jason Smith of the Davenport Police Department said the cameras were only placed in locations that have caused problems with accidents and excessive speed in the city.

“We are not concerned that any legislation will have any negative effects on our program,” he added.

DATA DELETED

There is also a significant dilution of rules for cities with fewer than 20,000 residents.

They are now banned from using mobile speed cameras to issue citations to drivers.

Instead, they can just send warnings to speeding drivers.

Furthermore, data collected by automatic number plate readers must be deleted within 30 days.

Those who violate this rule will be committing “a simple misdemeanor.”

And, in a triple whammy for authorities, tickets are now set at a maximum of $75 for those caught traveling between 10 and 20 mph over the posted limit.

“For excessive speed violations detected by an ATE system, the citation amount shall not exceed $75 for speeds greater than 10 miles and up to 20 miles per hour over the speed limit,” the regulations said.

“(Drivers will be fined) $100 for speeds exceeding 20 and up to 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, $250 for speeds exceeding
25 and up to 30 miles per hour over the speed limit and $500 for speeds greater than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit.

“These values ​​are doubled if the infraction occurs during road work
zone. All violations detected by an ATE system are civil infractions.”

SUSPICIOUS MOTIVATIONS

Pete McRoberts, policy director for the civil liberties campaign group ACLU in Iowa, accused LeClaire’s bosses of carrying out “highway robberies.”

He also announced the $6 million raised from speed cameras on Interstate 80 and Highway 67 in LeClaire since 2021.

“That’s not right. Everyone can understand if you’re making a public safety claim – but on the other hand, they’re raising millions of dollars, the motivations are quite suspicious,” he said. KWQC.

The city sold 62,229 tickets last year, it has been revealed.

Rep. Gary Mohr, who represents Davenport and LeClaire, said he realized it was a controversial topic, but the cameras were vital to maintaining traffic safety.

“I’ve heard complaints that this is just a cash cow for communities,” Mohr said.

“I hope now that we are entering data that requires safety information, that the people of Iowa know that the reason speed cameras are going to be approved is that there is a speeding problem in that area, there are a number of accidents in that area – serious accidents –. and that a speed camera is guaranteed.

“It’s just not okay to raise money for a specific community.”

Cities that began using traffic cameras on January 1 of this year will not receive a license from the DOT until July 1, 2026 at the earliest, it said. Des Moines Registry.

Guess Le Claire, Iowa? Your cash cow is about to run dry.

Iowa residentFacebook Comment, KWQC

Additionally, local authorities must post warning signs 500 to 1,000 feet in front of traffic cameras, notifying drivers that they are being used.

The new rules were welcomed by Rep. Phil Thompson, R-Boone.

“While I would certainly prefer to ban these (traffic cameras altogether), the longer we sit by and do nothing about it, the more we will see these systems being abused in our state,” Thompson said.

News of the rule changes provoked a mixed response from residents.

“Speeding tickets should be issued by a police officer, not a trap,” one KWQC viewer said on Facebook.

“I’m in favor of cameras, yes, they are necessary, many drivers speed up, turn on red lights, etc,” said another.

“Nothing but making money to fund the city coffers,” one man wrote of the financial impact on LeClaire.

“It’s just there for the money – security has nothing to do with them,” agreed one viewer.

Some people have called on lawmakers to go a step further and ban mobile speed cameras used by unmarked vans.

Twenty-five cities and towns in Iowa currently operate speed cameras.

These include Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Muscatine, Fort Dodge, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Waterloo, Fayette, West Union, LeClaire, Strawberry Point, Hazleton, Hudson, Chester, Buffalo, Bellevue, Miles, Independence, Oelwein, Prairie City, Webster City, Marshalltown, Marion and Postville.