A new Speed Safety System Pilot Program, authorized by California’s AB-645, is set to change driving habits in Los Angeles and other participating cities beginning January 1st, 2026. The program will utilize cameras to automatically ticket drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Speed Cameras Coming to California Cities
Approved in October 2023, AB-645 allows select California cities to install cameras in designated “high-risk areas” – including school zones, parks, construction zones, senior centers, and busy commercial areas – to capture and ticket speeding drivers. This system will function similarly to existing red light cameras, automatically issuing citations to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The fines for speeding violations will be tiered, beginning at $50 for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 11–15 mph. Penalties increase to $100 for 16–25 mph over the limit, $200 for 26–99 mph, and $500 for speeds of 100 mph or more. Furthermore, drivers caught exceeding 100 mph by the California Highway Patrol risk having their driver’s license revoked by the DMV.
Rising Concerns Over Speeding-Related Collisions
According to the LA Times, fatalities and serious injuries resulting from speeding and aggressive driving have increased by 52% since 2010. The program aims to address this trend by proactively targeting dangerous driving behavior. Steve Gordon, director of the DMV, stated, “We want to take immediate action against dangerous drivers before their carelessness leads to a deadly crash.”
Los Angeles is one of six cities participating in the five-year pilot program, joining Oakland, San Jose, Long Beach, Glendale, and San Francisco. Cameras in Los Angeles are projected to begin operating in mid-2026, with installations expected in Long Beach and Malibu this spring.
San Francisco began utilizing the system last August and has reported a 72% reduction in speeding at 15 camera locations. After a warning period in June and July, the city has already issued over 16,000 citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the speed cameras be active in Los Angeles?
Cameras around Los Angeles are projected to begin operating in mid-2026.
What are the fines for speeding?
Ticketing begins at $50 for 11–15 mph over the speed limit, increasing to $100 for 16–25 mph, $200 for 26–99 mph, and $500 for 100 mph or more.
What happens if I am caught speeding over 100 mph?
If the California Highway Patrol catches you speeding over 100 mph, your driver’s license could be revoked by the DMV.
As California prepares to implement this new system, how might this shift towards automated enforcement impact driver behavior and overall road safety?
