Speed cameras will soon be installed on streets as part of a pilot program targeting speeding drivers.
The Los Angeles City Council on March 24 approved two reports from the Department of Transportation outlining where the cameras will be installed. A 60-day public information campaign will follow to inform residents and drivers ahead of the rollout.
Where will the cameras be installed?
In Boyle Heights, those cameras will be located on:
- 4th Street between Mott Street and Evergreen Avenue
- 4th Street between Pecan Street and Boyle Avenue
- Soto Street between 4th Street and 6th Street
- Marengo Street between Mission Road and Lord Street
How will tickets work?
Cameras will capture license plate images. Drivers going 11 mph or more over the speed limit will be cited.
Tickets will be mailed to the registered vehicle owner and will range from $50 to $500 based on speed.
Some residents have raised concerns about privacy and the use of license plate data, along with questions about how these practices may impact communities of color. However, city officials say cameras are intended to improve safety and argue the program should have been implemented sooner.
What to expect during the rollout?
Installing the camera systems is expected to take three months, from about April to July, according to a city memo.
Once installed, drivers will have a 60-day grace period. During that time, drivers caught speeding will get a warning instead of a ticket. After the grace period ends, citations will be issued.
The city’s Department of Transportation will expand its Community Assistance Parking program to allow people who are unhoused or have low incomes to do community service instead of paying a citation.
The department is also expected to provide annual reports on its efforts to support people with low incomes.
Why these locations?
According to LADOT, the systems look to “reduce excessive speeding, save lives, and improve street safety by encouraging safer driving behavior.” The department said sites were selected based on crash and speeding data. It also considered areas near schools and senior centers.
Last year, 290 people were killed in traffic collisions in the city of LA, according to data from the Los Angeles Police Department. While that marked a 6% decrease from 2024, the total was far from the city’s goal to reach zero such deaths by 2025.
Under a 2023 law, six California cities — including Los Angeles, Glendale and Long Beach — are required to establish automated speed enforcement to reduce traffic deaths before 2032.
Andrew Lopez and LAist contributed to this story.
