Des Moines, IA Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)

The City of Des Moines, in accordance with the police powers authorized it by the State of Iowa for governing safe traffic flow and pursuant to Iowa Code section 321P, may deploy, erect or cause to have erected an automated traffic enforcement system for making video images of vehicles that fail to obey red light traffic signals at intersections designated by the city manager or his designee or fail to obey speed regulations at other locations in the city. The system may be managed by the private contractor that owns and operates the requisite equipment with supervisory control vested in the city's police department. Video images shall be provided to the police department by the contractor for review. The police department will determine which vehicle owners are in violation of the city's traffic control ordinances and are to receive a notice of violation for the offense.(c)Definitions. The following phrases or terms when used in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein: Automated traffic enforcement system means an electronic system consisting of a photographic, video, or electronic camera and a vehicle sensor installed to work in conjunction with an official traffic controller or police department employee to automatically produce photographs, video or digital images of each vehicle violating a standard traffic control device or speed restriction.