California, brace yourself for a decrease in speed! Following the signing of AB-645 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, residents in six cities across the state can expect the implementation of speed cameras in their neighborhoods by 2024.
Speed camera installation will commence on a trial basis in Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland in the upcoming year. Cameras have been installed to enforce speed limits by issuing tickets to drivers who exceed the speed limit by at least 11 mph.
Cameras will be strategically placed in areas near schools, high-injury intersections, and known street racing corridors in an effort to decrease speeding and prevent traffic fatalities.
Exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph can result in a significant increase in the ticket price. The fine can escalate from $50 to $100, $200, or even $500, depending on the extent of the driver’s speeding. Officials state that in the majority of cases, a driver’s initial violation will result in a warning.
Officials have stated that if the pilot program proves successful, the speed cameras could potentially be extended to other areas in California, although currently they are only applicable to six specific cities.
As traffic-related deaths continue to surge across the state and beyond, a new speed camera law has been implemented. According to data released by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, traffic deaths have emerged as the primary cause of death among individuals under the age of 30.
In October, Malibu officials urged Governor Newsom to include their city in his speed camera pilot program. This request came after a tragic accident on PCH that claimed the lives of four Pepperdine students. A tragic incident took place on a notorious section of the highway known as “Dead Man’s Curve,” where the driver’s vehicle spun out of control due to excessive speed.
According to LA Sheriff’s Department Captain Jennifer Seetoo, drivers tend to reduce their speed when they spot a patrol car, demonstrating their adherence to the rules of the road. “There is a pressing need for change.”
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