Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law that will allow Long Beach to install two speed cameras along Pacific Coast Highway, state Sen. Lena Gonzalez’s office announced Monday. The legislation, Senate Bill 1279, was authored by Gonzalez, a Democrat representing Long Beach, and will officially take effect on January 1.
Long Beach is already one of six California cities authorized to use automated speed cameras as part of a statewide pilot program. However, existing law did not previously permit the installation of these cameras on the specific stretch of PCH that runs through the city. The new law changes this, allowing Long Beach to deploy two additional cameras along the highway, supplementing the 18 cameras already authorized for other parts of the city.
The push for cameras on PCH comes amid growing concerns over traffic safety. According to Sen. Gonzalez, Long Beach experienced 53 fatal traffic collisions last year, marking the highest number in over a decade. Her office further highlighted the particular dangers of PCH, stating that the 8-mile portion through Long Beach has accounted for 39 of the city’s 192 traffic fatalities since 2020. This means the highway is responsible for 20% of the city’s crash fatalities, with three traffic deaths recorded on PCH already this year.
"As a city and a state, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure people feel safe," Sen. Gonzalez said, emphasizing the need for tools to address the "safety emergency on our streets." Long Beach City Councilwoman Suely Saro echoed this sentiment, noting that SB 1279 provides "another tool to make our streets safer and prevent traffic deaths, particularly along the Pacific Coast Highway where dangerous speeding has had devastating consequences." Councilwoman Saro, whose district includes a significant portion of the PCH corridor, supports the pilot program's potential to change driver behavior and ultimately save lives while respecting community privacy.
Under the state’s speed camera pilot program, the automated cameras are designed to activate when a vehicle travels at least 11 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. These devices are limited to photographing only rear license plates. Sen. Gonzalez’s office clarified that any images collected through Long Beach’s program will be shared exclusively with the city’s Department of Public Works and will not be provided to law enforcement.
The system for violations begins with a warning. A first offense for driving between 11 and 15 mph above the speed limit will result in a warning rather than a fine. Subsequent violations, however, carry financial penalties. Driving 11 to 15 mph over the limit incurs a $50 fine, while speeds of 16 to 25 mph over the limit will result in a $100 penalty. For those traveling 26 mph or more above the posted speed, the fine increases to $200. A significant $500 penalty is imposed for speeds reaching 100 mph or more.
The pilot program also incorporates measures to assist low-income motorists. Participating cities are required to offer options such as community service or educational programs as alternatives to fines for qualifying individuals. Additionally, reduced fines and payment plans must be made available under specific circumstances. Any revenue generated by Long Beach’s speed camera program, according to Sen. Gonzalez’s office, must be reinvested into traffic safety measures.
Other cities participating in the statewide pilot program have reported significant reductions in speeding. Sen. Gonzalez’s office cited data showing Oakland recorded a 70% decrease in speeding and San Francisco observed a 79% decrease following the implementation of their respective speed camera programs. The new law aims to bring similar results to the critical PCH corridor in Long Beach.
