The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.
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.
FULL STORY: SF Speed Cameras, First in the State, Turn on Today. Here’s Where They Are
After San Francisco installed traffic cameras, speeding dropped by 80%
The city was allowed to install speed cameras as part of a five-year pilot program approved by California in 2023.
States Have Mixed Feelings on Speed Cameras
While some states and cities are embracing automated traffic enforcement as a tool for improving road safety, others are banning the technology over concerns that the programs are designed for profit rather than public benefit.
USDOT Blocks Federal Funding for Traffic Cameras
Applicants to the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program will not be allowed to use funds for automated traffic enforcement.
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