Speed cameras in California

[ElishaGOtis]

I'm pretty sure if Caltrans followed their 85th percentile rule on setting speed limits that most speed limit limits around the state would be 75 to 80 MPH. My average speed on I-15 when I drive to Vegas is about 100 to 110 mph. Knock on wood, but I've yet to be pulled over on that stretch. I do dial it back a little bit once I enter Nevada because from my experience I've seen more enforcement although the Nevada highway patrol seems to be a bit more lenient on excessive speeding than California does as I've been given basically a parking ticket in lieu of a speeding ticket going over 100 miles an hour don't ask me how or why I have no clue about that. I didn't ask any questions. I just paid it.

I believe California has an overall maximum of 75mph, regardless of speed studies. Further, there can be other factors as noted, such as safety considerations. So it isn't ONLY the 85th percentile.

AFAIK 12.4 under the 85th percentile is the LOWEST CalTrans can go if they want to LOWER the speed limit from 55/65 default (whichever is applicable, subject to specific rules). If they want to raise it, either on all roads to no higher than 65 or on freeways to no higher than 70 (*groans*   ), they have the authority to do so under joint consideration from CHP.

I find it far more likely that CA scraps the 85th percentile mandate entirely than to think that we'd ever see a speed limit higher than 70 (or even increasing the truck limit above 55). Not to mention insurance...

[michravera]

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...

It's called the "camel's nose in the tent" effect. In some cases, the fear is well-founded. In others, it's well-intentioned and the good intentions remain in effect. To my mind, just speed cameras without full video to enforce prima facie speed limits should NOT be legal. I wouldn't mind, if there were full and in context video and the supposed violations were sent to an officer to make a judgement. It would allow for speed enforcement for drivers who "endanger persons or property" or who might reasonably scare other drivers or pedestrians. A ticket for "46 in a 35" when the traffic survey said 37 and is 15 years old in good weather and sparse traffic would lead me to some of the measures that Plutonic suggests.