Here's why Iowa rejected Des Moines' latest speed camera request
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Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Des Moines' speed cameras failed to show they improve safety, the Iowa DOT recently concluded in rejecting the city's attempt to restore their use at six sites.
Why it matters: The loss of camera enforcement along some of the city's busiest corridors has left the city with fewer options for resolving neighborhood concerns.
- Speeding is among the top complaints Des Moines leaders hear from residents, Mayor Connie Boesen noted in a city workshop earlier this month.
Catch up quick: State lawmakers passed a law last year restricting local governments' use of traffic cameras to standardize fines, rules and regulations.
- The DOT is not allowed to issue permits for new cameras until July 2026.
- Cities like DSM that already had them in place had to apply for DOT permits with speed data and other information to evaluate their need, but most were denied and deactivated in late 2024.
Zoom in: DSM lost two of its three fixed camera locations — one at Ninth Street and Grand Avenue and another in the 1400 block of Grand Avenue, near Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
- The city was also denied permits to operate mobile cameras at 14 locations.
Yes, but: A fixed camera in the 4700 block of eastbound Interstate 235 was approved, as were mobile cameras on both eastbound and westbound lanes at 12 other locations.
Driving the news: DSM police asked the DOT to revisit the two fixed sites that have been deactivated, as well as four locations where the department wants to restore eastbound and westbound mobile camera enforcement.
- The request was rejected, with Police Chief Michael McTaggart telling council members on Sept. 8 that the reasons for their denial were unknown.
Zoom in: A DOT letter dated Sept. 3 to the DMPD outlined four reasons each site was denied.
- A "continuous rise" in violations over time at the two fixed camera sites suggests that the devices are ineffective at controlling speeds at those locations.
- The mobile sites were not in neighborhoods, schools, or construction sites where traffic enforcement by alternative methods is difficult or dangerous, per the letter.
Stunning state: The city issued just over 78,000 speed citations last year, down 20% from 2023, according to an annual report published by police this month.
What's next: DSM has 30 days from the Sept. 3 decision to contest the DOT's decision.
- As of Monday, the city was still reviewing its options, Sgt. Paul Parizek tells Axios.