Legislation that would allow Long Beach to install two speed cameras along Pacific Coast Highway was headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom Tuesday after receiving final approval from the state Legislature.
Senate Bill 1279, authored by Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, would add the Long Beach portion of PCH to California’s speed safety camera pilot program, which currently excludes the highway.
Long Beach is already among six California cities authorized to use automated speed cameras under the pilot program, but existing law does not allow cameras to be installed along PCH.
Gonzalez’s office said the 8-mile stretch of PCH through Long Beach has accounted for 39 of the city’s 192 traffic fatalities since 2020, despite representing a small portion of the city’s high-capacity roadways.
“Everyone should be able to travel along PCH safely, whether they are driving to work, walking to school, biking to the park, or simply crossing the street in their neighborhood,” Gonzalez said. “By adding this corridor to California’s speed safety camera pilot program, SB 1279 will give Long Beach another proven tool to reduce dangerous speeding, make our streets safer, and save lives.”
At least three speed-related traffic fatalities have occurred along PCH in Long Beach during the first eight months of this year, according to Damian Kevitt, executive director of Streets Are For Everyone.
“We applaud Senator Gonzalez for her work to get SB 1279 to the Governor’s desk. It’s imperative that these speed safety systems be implemented as soon as possible to help prevent further loss of life,” Kevitt said.
Under the state’s speed camera pilot program, signs must alert motorists that an area is photo enforced, and cameras are limited to photographing rear license plates. Photographic records must remain confidential and can be used only for purposes of the program.
A first violation for driving 11 to 15 mph above the posted speed limit results in a warning. Subsequent violations carry a $50 penalty for driving 11 to 15 mph over the limit, $100 for 16 to 25 mph over the limit and $200 for driving at least 26 mph over the limit. A $500 penalty applies for speeds of 100 mph or more.
The program also requires participating cities to offer community service or educational programs instead of fines for qualifying low-income motorists, along with reduced fines and payment plans under certain circumstances.
Gonzalez’s office pointed to San Francisco, the first city to activate cameras under the pilot program, where officials reported a 72% reduction in speeding after the cameras were installed.
Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bill.