DES MOINES, Iowa — After being shut off for months, automated traffic enforcement cameras (ATE) in Des Moines will soon be re-activated and ready to catch speeding drivers again.
Mobile speed cameras were turned off due to a state law requiring the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine whether that city's cameras were "necessary."
If the DOT deemed that camera essential, law enforcement became required to notify the public 30 days before citation enforcement resumed at the approved locations. Law enforcement also had to install signage saying the area was "photo enforced."
Starting next week, Des Moines police will install speed camera signs and with the help of mobile speed cameras the department will begin issuing warnings on Dec. 2, and citations on Jan. 6.
Even though these cameras have been off for a few months, they've caught drivers speeding in previous years.
Revenue generated from speed and red light cameras, according to data provided by the city of Des Moines:
- 2019 city revenue: $2,802,163.03
- 2020 city revenue: $2,553,067.89
- 2021 city revenue: $2,921,510.89
- 2022 city revenue: $3,267,302.94
- 2023 city revenue: $3,594,696.30
- 2024 city revenue: $2,960,819.18
Des Moines police said the threshold to receive a speeding citation is 11 mph over the posted limit. For example, a person would receive a citation if caught 36 mph in a posted 25 mph zone.