UPDATE: Speed Camera Implementation in So Cal

In 2023, after four years of work, SAFE successfully helped pass AB 645, the California Speed Safety Systems Pilot Program. This groundbreaking policy allows six cities across California—including three in Southern California (Glendale, Long Beach, and the City of Los Angeles)—to pilot speed safety systems designed to reduce speeding and improve conditions on high-injury corridors and in vulnerable areas such as school zones.

What makes AB 645 so groundbreaking is the careful balance built into the law: ensuring the systems effectively slow drivers without being overly burdensome with fines, requiring equitable placement, protecting privacy and transparency, and limiting use to locations where safety improvements are genuinely needed. As a pilot program, it allows California to test this balance and make adjustments if anything is missing or needs improvement. SAFE has also created a document outlining key details of AB 645.

While San Francisco has already deployed speed cameras—ticketing speeding drivers and making roads safer—implementation in the three Southern California cities has been slow, leaving vulnerable road users at continued risk of injury or death.

To help accelerate the process, SAFE recently produced an Implementation Checklist and Implementation Flowchart for AB 645 to guide City Councilmembers, Departments of Transportation, and Public Works staff.

Glendale is Making Progress

Of the three cities, Glendale is the closest to having its systems operational. SAFE is working with Walk Bike Glendale, Go Glendale, the Glendale Department of Public Works, and the Glendale City Council to expedite implementation, with speed safety systems expected to begin enforcing safe speeds in late 2025. You can visit Glendale’s Speed Safety Program website for potential locations, usage policy, and the program timeline.

Los Angeles is Behind the Rest of CA

Currently, Los Angeles is one of the furthest behind in implementing its speed safety systems. SAFE has been engaging with LA DOT and members of the LA City Council's Transportation Committee to expedite this implementation. We don’t have much good news to share yet, but there are some indications that better news is on the horizon. Stay tuned. 

Long Beach is Dead Last

Long Beach is arguably the furthest behind of all the approved cities. SAFE is working with Car-Lite Long Beach, Walk Bike Long Beach, and a dozen other organizations and businesses in Long Beach to create a coalition letter of support for speed safety systems in Long Beach. If you live or work in Long Beach, you can sign up here.

Malibu Might Beat Everyone

In 2024, the City of Malibu joined the original six cities with the passage of SB 1297, allowing the use of speed safety systems along PCH through the City of Malibu. Despite starting a year later—and dealing with the tragic Palisades Fire, which destroyed many homes—Malibu has been fast-tracking its efforts to slow speeding drivers on PCH and is on track to launch its systems in late 2025 or early 2026. Word has it they may even go live before Glendale.

Hey Glendale, are you going to stand for that?

Photo credits:

Glendale speed safety program promo from myglendalepublicworks account https://www.instagram.com/p/DHXEJPDy9Um/

Los angeles downtown photo. taken from CA official website https://www.california.com/california-spotlight-downtown-la/

Long beach downtown photo https://downtownlongbeach.org/

PCH Malibu photo - Michel Shane.