Legislation that would allow Long Beach to install speed cameras along Pacific Coast Highway cleared a key Assembly committee and is headed to the Assembly floor for a vote, it was announced Thursday.
Senate Bill 1279, authored by Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee after previously passing the state Senate on a 33-6 vote.
PCH accounts for eight miles of Long Beach’s 217 miles of high-capacity roadways but is the site of 20% of the city’s traffic fatalities, according to Gonzalez’s office.
“Everyone should be able to travel along the Pacific Coast Highway safely, whether they are driving to work, walking to school, biking to the park, or simply crossing the street in their neighborhood,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “SB 1279 is now one step closer to becoming reality, to provide Long Beach a proven tool to reduce dangerous speeding, and to make PCH safer and save lives.”
Under the legislation, signs with flashing beacons would be required to notify motorists that an area is being photo enforced. Images would be limited to rear license plates, kept confidential and used only for purposes of the pilot program.
A first violation for traveling 11 to 15 mph above the posted speed limit would result in a warning. Subsequent violations would carry penalties ranging from $50 to $500, depending on the driver’s speed.
The legislation also calls for reduced fines, payment plans or alternatives such as community service or educational programs for people who are unable to afford the penalties.
Long Beach recorded 54 traffic-related deaths in 2025, the city’s highest total in a decade, according to Gonzalez’s office. As of Monday, the city had recorded 27 fatal traffic collisions this year.
California established its speed safety camera pilot program in 2023. Long Beach is among the cities participating in the program, but PCH is not covered under the existing law.