San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras

The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.

1 minute read

March 25, 2025, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up on 45 mph speed limit sign with part of Golden Gate Bridge visible in background, San Francisco, California.

tisaeff / Adobe Stock

Late last week, San Francisco turned on the first 12 of its 33 speed cameras as part of an effort to limit traffic deaths in the city, which reached a peak of 41 last year.

According to an article for KQED by Matthew Green and Dan Brekke, “Installed in high-injury corridors where speeding is common, the cameras will automatically snap photos of the rear license plates of motorists traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit.”

The cameras will issue no-fee warnings for the first 60 days. Citations of up to $500 will be issued starting in May. “San Francisco is the first city in California to install automated speed-enforcement cameras, long an aspiration of street safety advocates frustrated by the city’s lack of progress in reaching its long-term goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries.”

Over 300 U.S. cities use automated traffic enforcement cameras. A recent California law allows officials to install cameras in San Francisco, Oakland, San José, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Glendale.

Thursday, March 20, 2025 in KQED

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