Principal Investigator(s):
Lee Munnich, Senior Fellow (Retired), Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Co-Investigators:
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Frank Douma, Director, State & Local Policy, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Project summary:
Automated speed enforcement (ASE) has been shown to be one of the most effective strategies for reducing speeding by vehicles and improving road safety, especially in rural areas where low traffic volumes and smaller populations make human-based enforcement mechanisms inefficient, if not impossible. However, the perception that ASE is unpopular and controversial has limited its use by policymakers in the United States. This research investigated whether this perception is justified in Minnesota by conducting a public opinion survey of Minnesota residents about their views of ASE. In light of the survey results, the research then examined the legal and related political obstacles for deploying ASE in Minnesota, and outlined a strategy for moving forward with ASE in Minnesota in select areas.