City turns to speed cameras as traffic deaths surpass homicides.

In a unanimous 14-0 vote, the Los Angeles City Council has cleared the way for an $8.5 million street safety initiative that will deploy 125 speed cameras across the city’s most dangerous thoroughfares.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) received the green light Thursday to begin installing the automated systems in areas with high crash rates and significant populations of vulnerable residents, including children and seniors. The program follows the 2023 passage of California Assembly Bill 645, which authorized a pilot period for several major cities through 2032.

The move comes amid a spike in regional traffic violence; LAPD data shows that 290 people died in traffic-related incidents in 2025, a figure that eclipsed the city’s homicide rate for the same period.

A map of the chosen camera locations can be accessed here. 

The cameras are designed to capture the rear license plates of vehicles traveling at least 11 mph over the posted limit. Civil citations will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

To address equity concerns, the council directed LADOT to expand its Community Assistance Parking Program. This allows unhoused or low-income individuals to fulfill penalties through community service rather than monetary fines. The department must provide annual reports on the effectiveness of these financial safeguards.

City officials expect a phased rollout throughout 2026:

April–July: Installation and technical testing of camera hardware.

Summer: Launch of a 60-day public information campaign.

Late Summer/Fall: Start of a 60-day warning period where violators receive notices without fines.

Late 2026: Formal activation of ticket issuance and fine collection.

Most of the city’s 15 council districts will be allocated eight cameras each. However, Districts 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10, areas identified as having higher safety risks, will receive nine units.