by Speed Cameras Activated in San Francisco
The city of San Francisco has installed 33 speed cameras that now issue real fines to violators. During the trial period, these cameras sent 350,000 warnings, which led to a 30% reduction in road speeds. Fines start at $50 for those exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more.
These are the first such cameras in California. The amount of the fine depends on the degree of speeding: $100 for 16 mph over, $200 for 26 mph over, and $500 for speeds over 100 mph. For low-income drivers, alternative options are provided, such as community service instead of paying the fine.
“Whether you walk, bike, use public transportation, or drive a car—you have the right to feel safe on the streets of San Francisco,” stated the city’s mayor.
Implementation Results
The system is already showing a positive effect: 70% of drivers who received a warning did not violate the speed limit again. On some sections, the number of speeding incidents decreased by 40-63%. The city has also published a map with the location of all cameras so drivers can avoid violations.
Similar systems in other states have also proven effective in reducing the number of traffic accidents. In San Francisco, during the trial period, some cameras recorded over 850 violations per day, indicating the scale of the problem. The implementation of this system is particularly relevant at the start of the school year when more children and pedestrians appear on the roads.
