Council Bluffs traffic cameras will require permits under law signed by Reynolds (2024)

A new state law could impact the automated traffic cameras that have been used by the City of Council Bluffs for nearly 20 years.

The bill, House File 2681, passed the Iowa Legislature with broad, bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 17.

While the law doesn’t ban traffic cameras, it does require local authorities to receive a permit to place or continue to use a traffic camera. It also stipulates how local governments can spend revenue from tickets.

“We were watching the bill, so as soon as it passed, we reached out to the Department of Transportation,” Council Bluffs Police Chief Matthew Davis told The Nonpareil in an interview Friday.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is working to set up the permitting process, which will consider traffic and crash numbers to determine whether a camera is justified.

Existing cameras will be allowed to continue operation until Oct. 1 but would need to obtain their permit to continue operating beyond that point.

Davis said that the process is still ongoing but that it doesn’t look like it will be burdensome. Cameras that track speed, which are not used in Council Bluffs, may have more hoops to jump through.

Cameras can be used only to cite drivers who fail to yield or stop at a traffic signal-controlled intersection or a railroad crossing or who exceed the speed limit by more than 10 mph. Local authorities must review and approve a record of the alleged traffic violation before a citation is issued, which Council Bluffs does.

“We’ve never done automated speed enforcement,” Davis said. “We don’t have any plans to implement speed cameras, even now with the new regime in place to do it.”

Instead, Council Bluffs police use other technology to monitor speed data, particularly in areas where they receive complaints from residents or community groups.

“Keeping people safe in the city is still a main priority, we’re just using different tools,” Davis said.

Council Bluffs was among at least 25 cities in Iowa using automated traffic enforcement cameras in 2023.

City has long history of red light cameras

Council Bluffs has used automated traffic cameras for nearly 20 years, with 13 cameras tracking eight different high traffic locations for red light violations.

Council Bluffs uses the cameras at the following intersections:

Each location is clearly marked with signage leading up to the intersection.

Automation flags violations, which are then reviewed by a third party vendor before being sent to the police department's traffic department. A local officer then reviews two photos and video of the violation before either accepting or rejecting it.

The fine for a violation issued to a driver caught on camera is $100. A one-time late fee of $35 can be added to the violation and, if unpaid, the bill goes to collections.

The citation is considered a municipal infraction, so it isn’t reported to the State of Iowa or Iowa DOT and, therefore, does not become part of the vehicle owner’s driving record.

Payments are accepted at the city treasurer’s office. Online payments are processed by a third party vendor out of Seattle, Washington, with the money then placed in the city’s general fund for all departments, Sgt. Joshua Hughes said.

Drivers can contest the alleged violation, and some do end up having their tickets dismissed.

When someone receives a notice of violation, the notice includes photos as well as information on how to review the video themselves. The ticket includes instructions on how to request a hearing through the city’s legal division, and a hearing is scheduled in person with a Council Bluffs police officer.

“The officer meets with each person upon request and considers any extra ordinary situation around the violation such as weather or other vehicles,” Hughes said. “In the last year, about 20% of those who have requested and attended hearings were found ‘not liable’ and dismissed.”

In 2023, approximately 19,000 red light violations were issued in Council Bluffs, with more than 60% paid.

“The money generated today is about half since the program’s inception, indicating a change in driver behavior, especially since traffic volume has increased,” Hughes said.

Overall, the goal is public safety, Davis said, not revenue.

“If we issued no tickets, that would be great,” Davis said. “Traffic control is the main goal, not issuing tickets and generating revenue.”