California to pilot speed cameras and automated ticketing to reduce traffic deaths

(The Center Square) – California governor Newsom signed a new bill allowing for the use of automated speeding cameras as a pilot program in Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.

With 31% of all traffic fatalities attributed to speeding, speed cameras, if effective in reducing speeding, could significantly reduce traffic fatalities. New York City’s speed camera program is attributed with a 73% reduction in speeding.

“For too long, we have referred to most of these deaths as “accidents” to sweep under the rug the uncomfortable truth: these deaths are preventable,” said AB 645 author Assemblymember Laura Friedman, D-Burbank. “Slowing cars down is imperative to saving lives.”

The bill creates a $25 fee for challenging violations under the pilot program in court, under which vehicles traveling between 11 and 15 miles per hour over the speed limit will receive a warning, with $50 for the second violation between 11 and 15 miles per hour over, and a flat $100 for going 16 to 25 miles per hour over, $200 for going 26 miles per hour over, and $500 for going 100 miles per hour or more. However, there will be no fee for an initial review, which the relevant local agency must complete within 60 days. If the agency decides not to overturn the violation, an administrative hearing may be pursued and must be held within 90 days of the request for an administrative hearing. If someone wishes to challenge the outcome of the administrative hearing, he or she may then appeal to court within 15 days.

Revenue from the program must first be used to recover the installation of the camera systems, while excess revenue can be used locally for traffic-calming measures such as road diets, speed bumps, and roundabouts. If the money is not spent by localities on traffic-calming measures, the funding reverts to the California Transportation Commission control for allocation.

- Advertisement -

Any individual who makes less than 250% of the poverty level — with the 2023 poverty level for a single-member household at ​$14,580, that means a personal income below $36,450, shall have their fines and fees reduced by 50%, or 80% if they are deemed “indigent.” “Indigent” individuals in California make 125% or less of the poverty threshold or are eligible for Supplemental Security Income or other free services under the Older Americans Act or Developmentally Disabled Assistance Act.

The bill also sets limits on the number of systems that may be deployed within any jurisdiction depending on the size of its population. Jurisdictions with over three million residents can have up to 125 speed cameras, those between 800,001 and 3 million 33 cameras, 300,000 and 800,000 18 cameras, and under 300,000 up to 9 cameras.

Lastly, the cameras must be placed “in locations that are geographically and socioeconomically diverse,” to prevent any single strata of society from facing a higher speed policing burden than another.

Authorization for the pilot program expires on January 1, 2032.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

11 arrested in Spokane’s ‘No Kings Day’ protest following Pride parade

(The Center Square) – The Spokane Police Department arrested...

Third Trump trip to North Carolina won’t be for NAACP Convention

(The Center Square) – Citing democracy and civil rights...

Affidavit: Minnesota shooter bought Buick, electric bike to escape

(The Center Square) – The accused Minnesota shooter bought...

New Orleans City Council strengthens protections for felony job applicants

(The Center Square) — Convicted felons applying for city...

Analyst, alderman agree: More Chicago speed cameras will hurt low-income drivers

(The Center Square) – One of Chicago’s latest moves...

Nicaraguan, Mexicans, Californians charged with assaulting ICE agents in California

(The Center Square) – As U.S. Immigration and Customs...

‘Lopez crime family’ sentenced for human smuggling in California, Arizona, New Mexico

(The Center Square) – Another Guatemalan human smuggling ring...

Trump breaks from Gabbard on Iran nuke program

President Donald Trump appears to break from his intelligence...

More like this
Related

11 arrested in Spokane’s ‘No Kings Day’ protest following Pride parade

(The Center Square) – The Spokane Police Department arrested...

Third Trump trip to North Carolina won’t be for NAACP Convention

(The Center Square) – Citing democracy and civil rights...

Affidavit: Minnesota shooter bought Buick, electric bike to escape

(The Center Square) – The accused Minnesota shooter bought...

New Orleans City Council strengthens protections for felony job applicants

(The Center Square) — Convicted felons applying for city...