LA Speed Cameras Begin Warning Phase

Los Angeles launched its automated speed camera program on Monday. The system is currently in a 60-day warning phase. During this period, drivers will receive notices by mail for violations instead of immediate fines.

The city plans to install 125 cameras by the end of the year. Cameras are positioned near schools and on streets with high crash rates. They activate when a vehicle travels 11 mph over the posted speed limit. The devices capture rear license plates and do not record the faces of drivers or passengers.

Once the warning period ends, fines will take effect. A driver traveling 11 to 15 mph over the limit will pay a $50 penalty. Fines increase for higher speeds and can reach a maximum of $500. These violations are civil penalties, not traditional traffic tickets, so no points will be added to a driver's DMV record.

As of Monday, cameras are operating in four specific locations. These include the intersection of La Brea Avenue and First Street, Fairfax Avenue and Clinton Street, Melrose Avenue and Hayworth Avenue, and La Cienega Boulevard and Pico Boulevard.

LaKayla Keenan, who owns a beauty salon near one of the sites, said she sees frequent speeding and collisions. She expressed hope that the cameras will slow drivers down, though she noted that immediate impact remains uncertain. She suggested that behavior may change once people become aware of the new rules.

Officials stated that speeding causes most crashes on city streets. The cameras are part of a five-year pilot program aimed at reducing speeds and improving roadway safety.