Six California Cities Cleared for Speed Cameras

The state approved automated traffic enforcement for a five-year pilot program.

1 minute read

October 18, 2023, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Blurred lights of traffic in motion on San Francisco street with high-rise buildings and Bay Bridge visible in background at night.

Traffic in San Francisco, California. | Wes Culver / Adobe Stock

California Assembly Bill 645, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, paves the way for automated traffic enforcement in more California cities. 

Roger Rudick explains in Streetsblog San Francisco. “This year's bill, A.B. 645, was authored by Glendale Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and had multiple co-authors, including Assemblymember Phil Ting and Senator Scott Wiener, as well as Assemblymembers Marc Berman, Matt Haney, Alex Lee, and Buffy Wicks.”

Advocates like Jodie Medeiros of Walk San Francisco say speed cameras are “a powerful, proven tool to help take on the #1 cause of severe and fatal crashes.” 

A CBS News Bay Area article adds that speed camera pilot programs will be launched in San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco, as well as Los Angeles, Glendale, and Long Beach. The cities required state approval for automated enforcement. 

Monday, October 16, 2023 in Streetsblog San Francisco

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities