Statewide study examines multiyear trends in traffic enforcement, fines and court rulings (University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies)

Findings from a multiyear study show a recent decline in some types of traffic enforcement and provide insight into how different traffic violations are handled in the Minnesota judicial system. Understanding these patterns, says the study’s team, is essential for informing policymakers, law enforcement, and others about the effectiveness of traffic law enforcement efforts.

In May 2023, the Minnesota Legislature directed CTS to evaluate recent trends statewide in enforcement and court rulings for speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and seat belt violations. In a study sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, University of Minnesota (UMN) researchers examined traffic safety violations in Minnesota between 2017 and 2022, analyzing case counts, conviction rates and fines and fee payments for 1.2 million records.

The UMN research team was led by Stephanie Malinoff, CTS director of strategy and operations, with CTS scholar and co-investigator Nichole Morris and CTS scholar Curtis Craig of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; CTS scholar and co-investigator Frank Douma and Grace Foss of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs; and Andrew Ryan of the School of Public Health rounding out the team.

Annual trends were measured using case counts, and conviction percentages were calculated on a case basis. The team then analyzed the number of citations in individual agencies to spot any differences due to geographic region, external events or policy changes.

Overall, the study found a 25% decline in total citations across all four violation categories over the six-year period. Specifically, citations for speeding declined 28%, with decreases largely stemming from municipal police departments. Impairment citations declined by 12% and seat belt citations by 53%. In contrast, distracted driving citations increased by 90%.

Geographically, law enforcement agencies in the seven-county metro area issued more speeding and seat belt citations than agencies outside this area; however, this pattern was reversed when considering staffing levels. Citations for impairment and distraction were higher among the metro agencies, and this effect held regardless of staffing.

Access the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies website to learn more.