MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis officials have taken a major step toward reintroducing traffic enforcement cameras across the city in an effort to reduce dangerous driving and improve roadway safety.
On Monday, the Minneapolis Administration & Enterprise Oversight Committee unanimously approved a $12 million contract with NovoaGlobal, Inc. to manage red light and speed camera enforcement, as well as the citation issuance process. The agreement spans four years with the option for two additional one-year extensions.
The earliest the traffic camera pilot program could begin is August 1, 2025, though city officials say they are aiming for a September launch. If approved by the full Minneapolis City Council, the pilot would run through July 14, 2029.
The initiative comes nearly two decades after a previous red light camera program was discontinued. The city’s earlier attempt ended in 2007 after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled the system was illegal, citing the city’s lack of statutory authority at the time.
However, legislative changes in 2024 created a legal pathway for certain communities, including Minneapolis, to implement more narrowly tailored traffic camera programs.
Supporters of the plan point to promising data from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), which found in a 2023 study that speed and red light cameras have consistently reduced crashes, injuries, and fatalities in U.S. cities. National studies have shown a 19% to 56% reduction in severe or fatal crashes where such technology is in use. Currently, 29 states and Washington, D.C., utilize traffic safety cameras.
The need for improved enforcement is underscored by troubling local statistics. Between 2017 and 2021, an average of 150 people died or suffered serious injuries in crashes across Minneapolis each year, with speeding often cited as a key factor. In just 2022 and 2023 alone, 31 people were killed in speeding-related crashes, while 16 died in incidents involving red light violations, according to MnDOT.
The proposed traffic camera program is part of a broader effort to enhance safety on city streets and hold reckless drivers accountable.
The contract with NovoaGlobal, Inc. still requires final approval from the full Minneapolis City Council before the program can move forward.
