A new program using speed cameras to slow down drivers and curb street racing may soon be implemented in Los Angeles, Glendale, and Long Beach. The proposed devices would photograph the license plates of drivers exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more across Southern California.
Speed cameras are currently illegal in the state, but a proposed bill, if passed, could change that. The pilot program would commence in January provided the bill becomes law.
Joshua Mora, a 13-year-old hit-and-run accident victim who lost his leg after a motorcycle rider hit him in Boyle Heights, supports the initiative. According to California Assembly member Laura Friedman, speeding contributes to 31% of all traffic fatalities as per the National Transportation Safety Board.
The California Assembly Bill 645, which has already passed the state assembly, advocates for the installation of speed cameras in school zones and areas prone to speeding.
Friedman champions the use of speed cameras as a proven method of slowing down drivers and saving lives. If the bill passes the state senate and is signed by the governor, the pilot program would involve the three SoCal cities and three cities in Northern California.
Opposition to the bill arises from the fact that the speed cameras snap a picture of the speeding vehicle’s license plate, not the driver, raising concerns about ticketing the registered owner of the vehicle rather than the actual driver at the time of the offense.
As personal injury bloggers, we often discuss traffic safety measures, and this proposed program emphasizes the importance of innovative solutions to combat speeding and improve road safety.