Automated speed cameras have arrived in Long Beach, and they’re scheduled to begin issuing tickets soon.
The cameras are part of a state-authorized pilot program to see if writing automated speeding tickets can make roads safer.
Long Beach has seen a surge of deadly crashes in recent years and was picked as a pilot city after the mayor and city officials lobbied for the chance to install cameras.
When they start
Crews began installing the speed cameras this week. Nearby signs will warn drivers, said Joshua Hickman, director of Public Works. The cameras will start issuing warnings for 60 days before citations start.
The warning period is expected to start in October; then citations would start going out in December, Hickman said.
How they work
The cameras capture only the rear license plates of drivers speeding 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit. Based on that license plate information, a citation will be issued to the address where the car is registered.
License plate data is kept within the Public Works Department and not shared with any law enforcement agencies, including Long Beach police, Hickman said.
Where they are
Half of the cameras are on streets where deadly or severe crashes have occurred most often. The other half are going in school zones or in areas where street racing is a problem.
You can find an interactive map of the speed camera locations here.
How much is a citation
Citations range from $50 to 500 based on speed.
| Speed Over Limit | Fine Amount |
|---|---|
| 11–15 mph | $50 |
| 16–25 mph | $100 |
| 26+ mph | $200 |
| 100+ mph | $500 |
If a driver does not receive any warnings during the 60-day warning period, then the first speeding offense will result in a warning. After that, they will get a citation with a fine.
Payment is due within 30 days, but payment plans and diversion programs are available.
You can find more info on those here.
How will the money be spent?
The city anticipates half of the speeding ticket revenue, roughly $2.5 million, will cover the costs of running the camera program.
The other half will be spent on traffic-calming measures in neighborhoods where traffic engineers determine they’re needed most. The state law authorizing the pilot program says the money can’t be spent on anything else.
Safety measures could include crosswalks, no-turn-on-red signs and speed humps. The city has received an influx of requests from residents asking for some sort of safety measure in their neighborhood since the start of the year.
Traffic deaths
Residents have said they’re fed up with dangerous streets, and the city is trying to respond.
Last year, Long Beach recorded its deadliest year on the roadways in more than a decade – 53 fatal traffic collisions.
Earlier this year, Long Beach City Council directed the Public Works Department to hire third-party contractors to speed up their ability to install quick-build safety measures.
But traffic deaths this year have kept up the pace. At this time last year, the city had tallied 35 traffic deaths. As of Friday, this year’s total is at 33.
State pilot
Long Beach is able to install speed cameras thanks to a 2023 state bill that approved a five-year pilot for Long Beach as well as six other cities.
The city was allowed to install speed cameras immediately after the bill passed and had until Jan. 1, 2027, to begin the pilot.
Street safety advocates have criticized Long Beach for its delayed rollout compared to other cities.
Success in other cities
San Francisco installed 33 speed cameras last October and reported a 72% reduction in speeding after six months of citations.
In Oakland, 18 speed camera locations saw a 70% drop in speeding drivers, on average.
Los Angeles and Glendale have yet to deploy their speed cameras.
Potential expansion to PCH
A state bill currently on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk would allow Long Beach to install two more speed cameras on Pacific Coast Highway.
If signed, the cameras could be installed as soon as Jan. 1 and would follow the same rules as the other cameras.
PCH is a state route, meaning it was not included in the state pilot program because it’s not controlled by the city of Long Beach.
State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, who authored the bill, said PCH accounts for about one-fifth of the city’s traffic deaths despite covering less than 1% of the city’s roadways.