Speed Safety Cameras

Minnesota State Statute: 169.14

Subd. 14.Speed safety camera; limitations.

(a) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle is not subject to a fine or conviction under subdivision 13 if:

(1) the vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation;

(2) a transfer of interest in the vehicle in compliance with section 168A.10 was made before the time of the violation;

(3) the vehicle owner is a lessor of the motor vehicle, and the lessor identifies the name and address of the lessee;

(4) the vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle operated in the performance of official duties at the time of the violation;

(5) another person is convicted, within the meaning under section 171.01, subdivision 29, for the same violation;

(6) the vehicle owner provides a sworn statement to the court or prosecuting authority that the owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; or

(7) the vehicle owner provides a sworn statement to the court or prosecuting authority that the owner was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation under the circumstances of a medical emergency for either the driver or a passenger in the vehicle.

(b) The owner or lessee of a motor vehicle may not be issued a citation under subdivision 13 and under another subdivision in this section for the same conduct.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision 13, paragraph (c), a fine or conviction under subdivision 13 does not constitute grounds for revocation or suspension of a person's driver's license.

(d) A vehicle owner asserting a defense under paragraph (a), clause (7), must provide an accompanying sworn statement from the physician responsible for treatment of the underlying condition or emergency that necessitated medical attention.

(e) This subdivision applies to violations committed on or after August 1, 2025, and before August 1, 2029.

Speed Camera Location August 1, 2025

Street: Marie Avenue

Block: 500 Block

Monitored Traffic direction: East

History:

Marie Avenue is a local street that runs east to west for approximately two miles in Mendota Heights. It starts in the west at Lexington Ave and exits Mendota Heights and continues into West St. Paul at Delaware Avenue.

There are two parks, Marie Park and Valley Park, as well as a high school along Marie Ave. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has four active traffic count locations along Marie Ave with counts ranging from 1265 to 3375 AADT. The location of the speed camera will be in the school zone, less than 25 feet from a walking path and 200 feet from a marked pedestrian crosswalk.

Because of the parks, the school, and the relatively high traffic, residents have long identified Marie Avenue as a safety concern due to the speed of traffic. In response to community concerns, Mendota Heights implemented engineering controls to try and reduce speed. In 2012, the striping was changed to add fog lines and narrow the lanes to 11 feet. In 2020, bump outs were added at the intersections of Lilac Lane(N)/Walsh Lane(S), Eagleridge Road, Valley Park pedestrian crossing (including construction of @ grade pedestrian crossing), and Tail Road. The northern curb line between Lilac Lane and Victoria Road was shifted south for a trail extension and to reduce the roadway width. The southern curb line between Victoria Road and Highview Circle was shifted north to allow for retaining wall construction and reduced the roadway width. The northern curb line between Sutton Lane and Dodd Road was shifted south to reduce the roadway with. Note that no lane widths changed with the curb line shifts however the shoulder widths were reduced, or eliminated, resulting in a more narrow roadway width which typically reduces speeding. We also installed three radar driver feedback signs as well as a pedestrian activated crossing light.

In addition to engineering interventions, the City increased police speed enforcement efforts. From 2018-2025, officers have participated in 532 targeted speed enforcement operations on Marie, dedicating 266 hours and issuing 218 citations. Data from the driver feedback signs indicate that 4% of traffic is still operating over 40MPH.

Goal: After the 30 day warning period, 100% of traffic is traveling under 40 MPH with 95% traveling 35 MPH or lower.