California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Oct. 13 to allow six cities in the state to deploy automated speed safety cameras as a pilot program.
The law, known as AB 645, designates the cities of Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale and Long Beach along with the city and county of San Francisco to establish and operate a speed enforcement program under specific conditions set forth in the legislation until Jan. 1, 2032.
Over 1,500 people died in speeding-related California traffic accidents in 2021, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
The method has been effective in other cities. New York City has more than 2,000 speed enforcement cameras in school zones. Between 2019 and 2021, speeding declined 73% on average where fixed cameras were installed, and the city’s transportation department found areas that got cameras in 2019 saw a greater decrease in deaths and serious injuries the following year, compared with similar roads outside school zones.
