Star Tribune: “Minneapolis to appeal stop-on-red ruling”

Link to article. Previous posts: 3.15.06 & 12.16.05.

Completely unsurprisingly, Minneapolis has decided to appeal the ruling in district court that its red-light cameras are illegal under the uniformity requirement of the state traffic code. Motivating the city: $1 million in revenue generated during the first six months of operation, but also, apparently a 16% drop in accidents at intersections with cameras (though the exact number os accidents that percentage represents was not disclosed).

Briefing and oral arguments will take place over the next few months. Holders of “photo cop” citations who challenged their ticket are currently scheduled for a bulk special arraignment session on May 19th, but that date may change as the appeal proceeds.

Minneapolis ordinance 474.660:

Evidence. (a) In the prosecution of a violation, as set forth by section 474.640, captured by an automated traffic law enforcement system, prima facie evidence that the vehicle described in the citation was operated in violation of this section, together with proof that the defendant was at the time of such violation the owner or lessee of the vehicle, shall constitute in evidence a rebuttable presumption that such owner or lessee was the person who committed the violation.

(Emphasis added.)