Los Angeles lags in speed camera rollout compared to other California cities

Los Angeles is significantly lagging behind other California cities in the rollout of automated speed enforcement cameras. The city has yet to install any of the 125 cameras planned under a statewide pilot program, despite an earlier timeline that projected their installation and testing by July 31, 2026. This delay occurs while speeding remains a critical factor in traffic accidents across the state. Data from the California Highway Patrol indicates that over 24,000 speed-related crashes occurred statewide in 2025, leading to nearly 10,000 injuries. The program, authorized by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2024, includes pilot projects in several major cities. San Francisco and Oakland have already implemented their cameras, reporting substantial safety improvements. San Francisco noted an almost 80% decrease in drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph or more in camera zones, and Oakland reported traffic speeds nearing the posted limits. Traffic safety advocates criticize Los Angeles's slow progress, with one group giving the city a 'D' grade. They argue that Los Angeles has spent too much time on studies rather than implementation, despite speeding being a leading cause of traffic fatalities in the city, which has seen more traffic deaths than homicides in recent years. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation stated that the city has made progress and expects the program to launch this fall, with an official start date to be announced soon. They have also initiated a public education campaign.

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San Francisco took the authorization by the state seriously. They didn't wait for years to think about it, study it and debate about it.