Speed cameras in California

[Plutonic Panda]

Well, it looks like by summer of 2026. They will start to install them. I'll post a link to the maps of where they're gonna be installed. Looks like I'm gonna be talking to one of my buddies to make "modifications" to my plates and I would love to see these things, disabled by residence who are tired of this crap.

https://ladot.lacity.gov/speed-safety-system?_gl=1*1ud8xmg*_gcl_au*MTk0OTYwMTc0My4xNzcwODU2NDQw&fbclid=IwVERFWAP6AC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeDosf71yo-_xaxb6oCXY2Hn2AhCy-BZcT0r47Vc4lGBVRqdTzf1_t82rtqlM_aem__Ckf9_azMPHSSMu3GRjZSw

[cahwyguy]

Well, it looks like by summer of 2026. They will start to install them. I'll post a link to the maps of where they're gonna be installed. Looks like I'm gonna be talking to one of my buddies to make "modifications" to my plates and I would love to see these things, disabled by residence who are tired of this crap.

https://ladot.lacity.gov/speed-safety-system?_gl=1*1ud8xmg*_gcl_au*MTk0OTYwMTc0My4xNzcwODU2NDQw&fbclid=IwVERFWAP6AC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeDosf71yo-_xaxb6oCXY2Hn2AhCy-BZcT0r47Vc4lGBVRqdTzf1_t82rtqlM_aem__Ckf9_azMPHSSMu3GRjZSw

Of course, modifications to your plate to prevent reading of the numbers is also illegal (but not well enforced), and will create problems in the new garages that use license plate readers instead of tickets (which I don't like, for other reasons).

[I'll note modification of plates to make them unreadable is a sub-pet-peeve of the larger one of license plate wraps to make the color match the car. Those can also make plates unreadable, such as the dark green on black plates I've seen]

[Plutonic Panda]

Well, it looks like by summer of 2026. They will start to install them. I'll post a link to the maps of where they're gonna be installed. Looks like I'm gonna be talking to one of my buddies to make "modifications" to my plates and I would love to see these things, disabled by residence who are tired of this crap.

https://ladot.lacity.gov/speed-safety-system?_gl=1*1ud8xmg*_gcl_au*MTk0OTYwMTc0My4xNzcwODU2NDQw&fbclid=IwVERFWAP6AC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeDosf71yo-_xaxb6oCXY2Hn2AhCy-BZcT0r47Vc4lGBVRqdTzf1_t82rtqlM_aem__Ckf9_azMPHSSMu3GRjZSw

Of course, modifications to your plate to prevent reading of the numbers is also illegal (but not well enforced), and will create problems in the new garages that use license plate readers instead of tickets (which I don't like, for other reasons).

[I'll note modification of plates to make them unreadable is a sub-pet-peeve of the larger one of license plate wraps to make the color match the car. Those can also make plates unreadable, such as the dark green on black plates I've seen]

I'll take my chances. As you pointed out the lack of enforcement is real and will determine whether it's worth it or not. Overall, once these things are up and going, it's gonna be interesting to see how long this program last or if it becomes permanent. If it does, will people start vandalizing these cameras and making them inoperable? People in LA are not slow drivers. You're not just gonna change driving habits without a fight. I guess we'll see what happens.

[cahwyguy]

Well, it looks like by summer of 2026. They will start to install them. I'll post a link to the maps of where they're gonna be installed. Looks like I'm gonna be talking to one of my buddies to make "modifications" to my plates and I would love to see these things, disabled by residence who are tired of this crap.

https://ladot.lacity.gov/speed-safety-system?_gl=1*1ud8xmg*_gcl_au*MTk0OTYwMTc0My4xNzcwODU2NDQw&fbclid=IwVERFWAP6AC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeDosf71yo-_xaxb6oCXY2Hn2AhCy-BZcT0r47Vc4lGBVRqdTzf1_t82rtqlM_aem__Ckf9_azMPHSSMu3GRjZSw

Of course, modifications to your plate to prevent reading of the numbers is also illegal (but not well enforced), and will create problems in the new garages that use license plate readers instead of tickets (which I don't like, for other reasons).

[I'll note modification of plates to make them unreadable is a sub-pet-peeve of the larger one of license plate wraps to make the color match the car. Those can also make plates unreadable, such as the dark green on black plates I've seen]

I'll take my chances. As you pointed out the lack of enforcement is real and will determine whether it's worth it or not. Overall, once these things are up and going, it's gonna be interesting to see how long this program last or if it becomes permanent. If it does, will people start vandalizing these cameras and making them inoperable? People in LA are not slow drivers. You're not just gonna change driving habits without a fight. I guess we'll see what happens.

If you read where they are putting them, they are going after the street racers and the street takeover folks. I know that's a big problem here in the valley -- I can hear them regularly, and there have been numerous deaths from them. It doesn't appear, for now, this is part of a larger general speeding crackdown. What they are really looking for are the folks going the really excessive speeds -- like 100+ on city streets.

[Plutonic Panda]

Well, it looks like by summer of 2026. They will start to install them. I'll post a link to the maps of where they're gonna be installed. Looks like I'm gonna be talking to one of my buddies to make "modifications" to my plates and I would love to see these things, disabled by residence who are tired of this crap.

https://ladot.lacity.gov/speed-safety-system?_gl=1*1ud8xmg*_gcl_au*MTk0OTYwMTc0My4xNzcwODU2NDQw&fbclid=IwVERFWAP6AC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeDosf71yo-_xaxb6oCXY2Hn2AhCy-BZcT0r47Vc4lGBVRqdTzf1_t82rtqlM_aem__Ckf9_azMPHSSMu3GRjZSw

Of course, modifications to your plate to prevent reading of the numbers is also illegal (but not well enforced), and will create problems in the new garages that use license plate readers instead of tickets (which I don't like, for other reasons).

[I'll note modification of plates to make them unreadable is a sub-pet-peeve of the larger one of license plate wraps to make the color match the car. Those can also make plates unreadable, such as the dark green on black plates I've seen]

I'll take my chances. As you pointed out the lack of enforcement is real and will determine whether it's worth it or not. Overall, once these things are up and going, it's gonna be interesting to see how long this program last or if it becomes permanent. If it does, will people start vandalizing these cameras and making them inoperable? People in LA are not slow drivers. You're not just gonna change driving habits without a fight. I guess we'll see what happens.

If you read where they are putting them, they are going after the street racers and the street takeover folks. I know that's a big problem here in the valley -- I can hear them regularly, and there have been numerous deaths from them. It doesn't appear, for now, this is part of a larger general speeding crackdown. What they are really looking for are the folks going the really excessive speeds -- like 100+ on city streets.

Yeah, I mean that's totally reasonable, but I'm just against automated traffic enforcement in general because every time I hear this oh they're trying to go down on the really really reckless drivers. It seems like not long after you hear about a story of a street takeover and then you never hear of any consequences of the people that are part of them. Hey at least they're not putting any on West Sunset Boulevard or Mulholland Drive.

You also have to think that a lot of these people that are driving like that on city streets with no regard to other people's lives probably aren't the most law abiding citizens out there and I'd be willing to bet a good amount of those cars were stolen so what good are these cameras gonna really do anyways to crack down on that. And again, if that's something that they live for they'll just modify the plates like I'm gonna do even though I don't street race or go that fast on city streets.

That's not what I'm worried about. I'm more worried about them just going after every day commuters who might just be doing 10 to 20 over the limit and a lot of the San Fernando Valley streets are long and straight with clear sighting and it makes perfect sense to go 50 or 60 miles an hour, regardless of what the speed limit is. But even if I'm going, let's say just 11 miles an hour over the speed limit as of now they're not gonna be putting any points on your license but how long is that gonna last?

Most people that I've noticed in the valley roads generally go about 10 to 15 over the limit with some doing 20 over. This just feels like a cash grab for commuters who are actually law abiding citizens just committing minor traffic infractions.

[kalvado]

Well, it looks like by summer of 2026. They will start to install them. I'll post a link to the maps of where they're gonna be installed. Looks like I'm gonna be talking to one of my buddies to make "modifications" to my plates and I would love to see these things, disabled by residence who are tired of this crap.

https://ladot.lacity.gov/speed-safety-system?_gl=1*1ud8xmg*_gcl_au*MTk0OTYwMTc0My4xNzcwODU2NDQw&fbclid=IwVERFWAP6AC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeDosf71yo-_xaxb6oCXY2Hn2AhCy-BZcT0r47Vc4lGBVRqdTzf1_t82rtqlM_aem__Ckf9_azMPHSSMu3GRjZSw

Of course, modifications to your plate to prevent reading of the numbers is also illegal (but not well enforced), and will create problems in the new garages that use license plate readers instead of tickets (which I don't like, for other reasons).

[I'll note modification of plates to make them unreadable is a sub-pet-peeve of the larger one of license plate wraps to make the color match the car. Those can also make plates unreadable, such as the dark green on black plates I've seen]

I'll take my chances. As you pointed out the lack of enforcement is real and will determine whether it's worth it or not. Overall, once these things are up and going, it's gonna be interesting to see how long this program last or if it becomes permanent. If it does, will people start vandalizing these cameras and making them inoperable? People in LA are not slow drivers. You're not just gonna change driving habits without a fight. I guess we'll see what happens.

If you read where they are putting them, they are going after the street racers and the street takeover folks. I know that's a big problem here in the valley -- I can hear them regularly, and there have been numerous deaths from them. It doesn't appear, for now, this is part of a larger general speeding crackdown. What they are really looking for are the folks going the really excessive speeds -- like 100+ on city streets.

That's often the way things are positioned to make them passable - protect children, tax 1%, fine racers. And once laws are signed, somehow everyone is affected...

[Max Rockatansky]

I've never understood the point of street racing in a big city like Los Angeles when there are so many fun mountain roads nearby. 

[Plutonic Panda]

I've never understood the point of street racing in a big city like Los Angeles when there are so many fun mountain roads nearby. 

Or street takeovers were you basically just get a mob of people to shut down an intersection or in some cases a major bridge like the Baybridge and just do donuts and act like a complete idiot. Racing on the track is also much more fun. You don't have to worry about innocent people or the police. And you're actually racing sometimes with people who are actually skilled and you can concentrate on winning and not have to worry about dodging other people who are in the race. Unfortunately, we also are seeing a lot of tracks being closed.

[Max Rockatansky]

I've never understood the point of street racing in a big city like Los Angeles when there are so many fun mountain roads nearby. 

Or street takeovers were you basically just get a mob of people to shut down an intersection or in some cases a major bridge like the Baybridge and just do donuts and act like a complete idiot. Racing on the track is also much more fun. You don't have to worry about innocent people or the police. And you're actually racing sometimes with people who are actually skilled and you can concentrate on winning and not have to worry about dodging other people who are in the race. Unfortunately, we also are seeing a lot of tracks being closed.

Trouble is that racing on closed courses is often very expensive.  That and there aren't exactly many options out there nowadays.  Even places like Willow Springs don't exactly seem to have an optimistic future with recent ownership changes (just my opinion). 

But yeah, there are lots of options a short distance from Los Angeles in far flung canyons.  Little Tujunga Canyon Road comes to mind as something directly accessible from the city limits that rarely has any sizable amount of traffic on it.  It seems like most people who go for a mountain road for speed runs stick to just Angeles Crest.

[Quillz]

If enforcement is minimal to begin with then I'm sure Panda and all the other speed abiding drivers will be fine. Unless you get pulled over with an illegal plate modification.

[Plutonic Panda]

If enforcement is minimal to begin with then I'm sure Panda and all the other speed abiding drivers will be fine. Unless you get pulled over with an illegal plate modification.

As I've gotten older, I've actually slowed down quite a bit. I might not even really see the need for an illegal plate modification. Really the way I used to drive in my 20s I now see how stupid it was and how many lives I endangered. Especially now, watching people do it and then upload it to Facebook or YouTube. And then seeing news articles of what happens when those types of people inevitably do crash. It's really caused me to lighten my foot up a bit.

Still, I don't like the idea of government overreach or a nanny state government with automated traffic enforcement with a few exceptions.

[Rothman]

The 11 mph buffer makes me much less concerned about this installation...perhaps even to the point where I question the investment.

[Plutonic Panda]

The 11 mph buffer makes me much less concerned about this installation...perhaps even to the point where I question the investment.

And I'll reiterate this this just seems to be targeting people that aren't going to go through the expense of hiring attorney to go to court or see when the radar has last been calibrated, etc. Hence why I'm against automated traffic enforcement. When an actual officer clocks you in even he could testify, he can also judge your speed by witnessing you because he was there in person. Now in school zones and work zones and stuff like that I get it.

[Quillz]

Still, I don't like the idea of government overreach

Nor do I. But seems the current federal government disagrees with us...

might not even really see the need for an illegal plate modification.

Good, because that will get you justifiably pulled over the moment a cop sees it (and they will, no matter how subtle you might think it is). And that you can't defend, unlike a traffic ticket you can take to court.

[Quillz]

I'm more worried about them just going after every day commuters who might just be doing 10 to 20 over the limit and a lot of the San Fernando Valley streets are long and straight with clear sighting and it makes perfect sense to go 50 or 60 miles an hour, regardless of what the speed limit is.

20 mph over the speed limit is reckless, no matter the weather. You absolutely should not be driving 60 mph down SF Valley streets, and if you are, then this program is (theoretically) intended for drivers like you. It takes much longer to stop, and all it takes is one car in front of you that suddenly slams on your brakes and you can rear end them. And you can't assume the streets are going to have clear sighting all the time. People jaywalk and run across the street all the time. Just the other day I had someone decide to run across the intersection even though it was not their turn, right as I was about to make a right turn. I just barely saw them. It was a blue sky kind of day.

That said, no, this isn't about a bunch of mustache-twirling government agents orderings cops around to go stop random people. As noted, this is far more about cracking down on certain types of illegal street usage. In my neighborhood, there's been a guy who for years likes to speed down my street at night, usually 11-12 pm. Obnoxiously loud, blows through stop signs, and at least twice I've almost been hit by him because I like to take night walks. These are the kind of drivers that these programs are designed to stop (how effective they will be, I don't know). There's a very big and clear difference between someone who is going above the speed limit but going with the flow of traffic, and the asshole drivers who just like to be dicks.

But any cop that sees you going 20 above the speed limit is going to pull you over, and they should. You can get away with 5-10. Anything above 15 is going to almost certainly get you tagged.

You also have to think that a lot of these people that are driving like that on city streets with no regard to other people's lives probably aren't the most law abiding citizens

I'd also question how law abiding you claim to be if you are willingly disobeying the posted speed limits based on your own belief that 20 mph above the speed limit is acceptable.

Really the way I used to drive in my 20s I now see how stupid it was and how many lives I endangered. Especially now, watching people do it and then upload it to Facebook or YouTube. And then seeing news articles of what happens when those types of people inevitably do crash. It's really caused me to lighten my foot up a bit.

And I feel like here you are contradicting your own claim about it being safe to drive 60 mph on SF Valley streets. Because I agree with this part entirely. Unless you meant you were going even faster than 60 mph?

[Rothman]

The assumption that speed limits are always set at the maximum safe speed is doing a lot of heavy lifting there...

[Quillz]

The assumption that speed limits are always set at the maximum safe speed is doing a lot of heavy lifting there...

I can't speak to that. They might be, they might not be. I would argue that in general, most modern road designs can usually support higher speed limits than what is posted. But the idea that going 60 mph down arterial streets is safe because of an assumption there will always be clear lines of sight and all the other cars and people on the sidewalks will follow the rules is what I take issue with. There are far too many variables beyond one's control when driving to make assumptions like that.

[Max Rockatansky]

It depends on what the arterial street is.  Jensen Avenue in Fresno right by house has a 60 MPH limit west of Fowler Avenue and 65 MPH limit east of it.  The roadway definitely is built to handle the posted limit.  I run the pedestrian path flanking the northern side of the road almost daily.

[Plutonic Panda]

It depends on what the arterial street is.  Jensen Avenue in Fresno right by house has a 60 MPH limit west of Fowler Avenue and 65 MPH limit east of it.  The roadway definitely is built to handle the posted limit.  I run the pedestrian path flanking the northern side of the road almost daily.

I've gone down several of the valley streets going 60 miles an hour and been passed by other cars like I'm moving backwards. The other person that seems to be so caught up in me going 60 probably couldn't handle the valley roads.

[Quillz]

It depends on what the arterial street is.  Jensen Avenue in Fresno right by house has a 60 MPH limit west of Fowler Avenue and 65 MPH limit east of it.  The roadway definitely is built to handle the posted limit.  I run the pedestrian path flanking the northern side of the road almost daily.

I've gone down several of the valley streets going 60 miles an hour and been passed by other cars like I'm moving backwards. The other person that seems to be so caught up in me going 60 probably couldn't handle the valley roads.

Or perhaps it's a case of one person speeding being passed up by another person speeding even more. If you are going 100 and you get passed by someone going 120, are the people driving 70 on the freeway the ones at fault?

I'm not sure what it says about your character when you are openly gloating about ignoring the speed limits and then justifying it by saying it's okay because people are speeding even more than you. I guess two wrongs make a right in this case. Earlier you also suggested further breaking the law by having an illegally modified license plate and then implied that people should commit vandalism by destroying speed cameras. You strike me as someone who doesn't care much for laws that personally inconvenience you.

[Quillz]

It depends on what the arterial street is.  Jensen Avenue in Fresno right by house has a 60 MPH limit west of Fowler Avenue and 65 MPH limit east of it.  The roadway definitely is built to handle the posted limit.  I run the pedestrian path flanking the northern side of the road almost daily.

And that's my point. None of the major SF Valley streets have a speed limit above 45. Driving 15+ mph on those streets is reckless. There are a lot of cars, people on the sidewalks, businesses, side streets, and so on. Going 15+ greatly increases the amount of time it takes to slow down, and the impacts of a car crash are much worse. People are already distracted enough driving as it is.

 If someone wants the speed limit raised, fine. Go through the legal process it requires. There will be studies, recommendations, etc. Someone deciding that 60 is fine when the posted speed limit is 45 is effectively saying they know better than the law. And if they do, great. But that's not going to win a court case.

[Max Rockatansky]

It depends on what the arterial street is.  Jensen Avenue in Fresno right by house has a 60 MPH limit west of Fowler Avenue and 65 MPH limit east of it.  The roadway definitely is built to handle the posted limit.  I run the pedestrian path flanking the northern side of the road almost daily.

And that's my point. None of the major SF Valley streets have a speed limit above 45. Driving 15+ mph on those streets is reckless. There are a lot of cars, people on the sidewalks, businesses, side streets, and so on. Going 15+ greatly increases the amount of time it takes to slow down, and the impacts of a car crash are much worse. People are already distracted enough driving as it is.

 If someone wants the speed limit raised, fine. Go through the legal process it requires. There will be studies, recommendations, etc. Someone deciding that 60 is fine when the posted speed limit is 45 is effectively saying they know better than the law. And if they do, great. But that's not going to win a court case.

My default speed I go over the limit at is probably 7-8 MPH.  52-53 MPH isn't quite much of a leap from say 57-60 MPH.  Not that I'm recommending someone go that far over the limit on a surface arterial, I'm just guessing a lot of people do.

[Plutonic Panda]

It looks bad on paper and I'm not going to suggest anyone break the law. But it is what it is.

[Quillz]

It depends on what the arterial street is.  Jensen Avenue in Fresno right by house has a 60 MPH limit west of Fowler Avenue and 65 MPH limit east of it.  The roadway definitely is built to handle the posted limit.  I run the pedestrian path flanking the northern side of the road almost daily.

And that's my point. None of the major SF Valley streets have a speed limit above 45. Driving 15+ mph on those streets is reckless. There are a lot of cars, people on the sidewalks, businesses, side streets, and so on. Going 15+ greatly increases the amount of time it takes to slow down, and the impacts of a car crash are much worse. People are already distracted enough driving as it is.

 If someone wants the speed limit raised, fine. Go through the legal process it requires. There will be studies, recommendations, etc. Someone deciding that 60 is fine when the posted speed limit is 45 is effectively saying they know better than the law. And if they do, great. But that's not going to win a court case.

My default speed I go over the limit at is probably 7-8 MPH.  52-53 MPH isn't quite much of a leap from say 57-60 MPH.  Not that I'm recommending someone go that far over the limit on a surface arterial, I'm just guessing a lot of people do.

Yes, people do. And I've seen firsthand what happens when variables they can't control come into play. People suddenly darting across the street. Someone who was about to turn decides not to and weaves back into the lane. People trying to gun that yellow light. People already do all kinds of reckless and dumb things, purposely going 15+ above the speed limit on busy arterial streets is one of the simplest things that can be avoided. If someone needs to get somewhere on time, they should leave earlier and account for traffic.

And one time my mom got pulled over and pulled the "well, I was speeding, but so was everyone else, I was getting passed a lot!" The officer told her she was right, but she was also the one that got caught. So yeah, maybe you're speeding and getting passed by even faster people. It won't get you out of a ticket.

There are plenty of places where you can go 15-20 above the speed limit and not be reckless. I would say places like I-5 through the Central Valley where there aren't many exits, there are no at-grade junctions, no pedestrians, etc. Those are instances where yes, it's also breaking the law and you will still get pulled over, but doing even 80 there isn't particularly dangerous or reckless. (I don't know the speed limit offhand, I think it was 65 last time I was there). That's a world of difference compared to a busy arterial street (or perhaps stroad, I think the Valley has quite a few of these).

[Max Rockatansky]

It depends on what the arterial street is.  Jensen Avenue in Fresno right by house has a 60 MPH limit west of Fowler Avenue and 65 MPH limit east of it.  The roadway definitely is built to handle the posted limit.  I run the pedestrian path flanking the northern side of the road almost daily.

And that's my point. None of the major SF Valley streets have a speed limit above 45. Driving 15+ mph on those streets is reckless. There are a lot of cars, people on the sidewalks, businesses, side streets, and so on. Going 15+ greatly increases the amount of time it takes to slow down, and the impacts of a car crash are much worse. People are already distracted enough driving as it is.

 If someone wants the speed limit raised, fine. Go through the legal process it requires. There will be studies, recommendations, etc. Someone deciding that 60 is fine when the posted speed limit is 45 is effectively saying they know better than the law. And if they do, great. But that's not going to win a court case.

My default speed I go over the limit at is probably 7-8 MPH.  52-53 MPH isn't quite much of a leap from say 57-60 MPH.  Not that I'm recommending someone go that far over the limit on a surface arterial, I'm just guessing a lot of people do.

Yes, people do. And I've seen firsthand what happens when variables they can't control come into play. People suddenly darting across the street. Someone who was about to turn decides not to and weaves back into the lane. People trying to gun that yellow light. People already do all kinds of reckless and dumb things, purposely going 15+ above the speed limit on busy arterial streets is one of the simplest things that can be avoided. If someone needs to get somewhere on time, they should leave earlier and account for traffic.

And one time my mom got pulled over and pulled the "well, I was speeding, but so was everyone else, I was getting passed a lot!" The officer told her she was right, but she was also the one that got caught. So yeah, maybe you're speeding and getting passed by even faster people. It won't get you out of a ticket.

There are plenty of places where you can go 15-20 above the speed limit and not be reckless. I would say places like I-5 through the Central Valley where there aren't many exits, there are no at-grade junctions, no pedestrians, etc. Those are instances where yes, it's also breaking the law and you will still get pulled over, but doing even 80 there isn't particularly dangerous or reckless. (I don't know the speed limit offhand, I think it was 65 last time I was there). That's a world of difference compared to a busy arterial street (or perhaps stroad, I think the Valley has quite a few of these).

Even still, for me it still comes down to the roadway design. There a couple of 45 MPH zones on Herndon Avenue (mostly an expressway design) in Fresno.  That 45 MPH limit seems to be mostly posted in an area which has a hospital nearby.  The pedestrian pathways are protected, the hospital is grade separated and the roadway can clearly handle a higher speed.  If someone drove 60 MPH there I don't think I would blink an eye at it.