Cedar Rapids Police have issued more than 1,200 violations since activating several red light and mobile speed cameras earlier this year. The violations occurred between March 14th and April 16th. Sergeant Cristy Hamblin says most of the motorists caught speeding were doing so on Interstate 380.

“In a 55 mile per hour zone, we had some motorists doing over 90 miles per hour,” Hamblin said. “That’s just crazy.” There are currently cameras looked at four intersections in Cedar Rapids and another camera that’s moved around the city.

The mobile camera has been used to catch speeders on the interstate and in residential areas. At one point, Hamblin says the mobile camera was placed in 25 mile per hour speed limit zone.

“We had several people who were going 50 to 60 miles per hour through a residential area,” Hamblin said. Police officers and employees of the company that makes the cameras view still pictures and video of each violation captured. Many of the violations are thrown out because the camera failed to capture the license plate.

Hamblin say the violations are sent in the mail to the registered owner of the vehicle. “Once you get that letter, it’ll show a picture of your license plate. It’ll give you a website and a password to log in…and view pictures and video of your violation,” Hamblin said. Those who are sent violations can pay the fine or appeal.

The camera system is expected to generate about $750,000 a year. Cedar Rapids Police plan to install one more camera at a fifth intersection this weekend and add permanent cameras on Interstate 380 soon. In Iowa, red light cameras are also active in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Clive and Davenport.

See a brochure about the Cedar Rapids cameras here:

www.cedar-rapids.org/police/documents/Gatso%20USA%20Cedar%20Rapids%20brochure.pdf