The first real citations for a Minneapolis safety camera program rolled out on Friday.

The city installed cameras at five locations where they see the most dangerous speed violations. Officials said speeding played a part in half of the city's fatal crashes in 2020 and 65% in 2021.

Since the cameras went live last month, data shows the rate of people driving 10 or more miles per hour over the speed limit has gone down 30%, according to the city. And those caught driving 20 or more miles per hour over the speed limit went down 76%. 

The city said 98% of drivers are following the speed limit. 

According to Minneapolis officials, the data was calculated by comparing numbers from the program's first month to numbers recorded before the program started.

The city said it started issuing citations on Friday to drivers detected traveling 10 or more miles per hour over the speed limit. For first-time offenders, the city will issue a warning, but for additional offenses, drivers will receive a $40 fine. If a driver is traveling 20 mph over the speed limit, they'll see an $80 fine.

Instead of paying the first fine, drivers can take a free traffic safety class. 

The five high-risk intersections are:

• Third Street North near First Avenue
• Fremont Avenue North near West Broadway Avenue
• 18th Avenue Northeast near Central Avenue Northeast
• Chicago Avenue near Franklin Avenue East
• Nicollet Avenue near 46th Street West

Resident Adam Pope is in favor of the program and bikes most days near Broadway and Fremont avenues. He wants to see a change soon.

"I'm hoping by winter, when things get slippery, people will start to slow down," Pope said.