It Might Get More Difficult to Avoid Speed Cameras in Iowa Soon

The topic of combatting speeders and promote safer driving practices has been a hot-button topic for Iowa over the last couple years. Speed cameras are now more common than ever, and they could get even more ubiquitous after this piece of news came out of the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) this week.

The Iowa DOT revealed that they have received 28 new applications for automated speed cameras across the state. This comes after a new Iowa law required jurisdictions to apply for a DOT permit for the use of automated speed or other traffic cameras.

However, if your neighborhood didn't have one before January 1st, 2024, it will be a minute before you have to take an extra look around the nearest intersection to see if you're being monitored...

The wait for the installation of automated speed cameras in the state of Iowa is now no sooner than 2026. De Soto, IA was hoping to proceed with their red light cameras this year, but per KCCI, they, like many others, will have to wait until they get the green light to install the automated ones provided by the Iowa DOT.

Applications for automated speed cameras were submitted by the following cities and towns in Iowa:

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Buffalo
Cedar Rapids
Charles City
Chester
Davenport
Des Moines
Fayette
Fort Dodge
Fredericksburg
Hazelton
Hudson
Independence
La Porte City
Le Clare
Lee County
Marion
Marshalltown
Maynard
Muscatine
Olewein
Postville
Prairie City
Sioux City
Strawberry Point
Tama
Waterloo
Webster City
West Union

Notably, the City of Dubuque was looking to install automatic traffic enforcement cameras. However, Dubuque won't see the cameras installed and in action until 2026 due to then Iowa law limiting how cities and counties can use them went into effect on July 1st.

Read more about the Iowa Department of Transportation's deluge of applications for speed cameras on KCCI's website.