ENCINITAS, Calif. (FOX5/KUSI) — After a series of deadly crashes, including one that claimed the life of 12-year-old Emery Chalekian, local advocates are pushing to bring red-light cameras back to Encinitas streets.

A new California law, Senate Bill 720, now gives cities a clear path to reinstall automated red-light cameras, with programs able to start as early as January 2026.

Encinitas previously had red-light cameras, but the current system made enforcement difficult. Automated cameras must capture a clear photo of the driver’s face, and an officer must confirm the identity for a ticket to hold up in court. Without that, citations were often dismissed.

Nearly 200 people died in California last year from red-light crashes, and community advocates say stronger enforcement tools are needed to prevent further tragedies.

“When drivers know that there are red-light cameras, they pay attention,” said Laura Van Deussen of Safe Streets Encinitas. “People in our community are noticing that drivers are blowing through red lights and being really careless.”

Damian Kevitt, who has been pushing the new bill, said the law addresses shortcomings in the previous system. Tickets would no longer require facial recognition and could be mailed directly to the registered vehicle owner, even if someone else was driving. Kevitt, a hit-and-run survivor, said the change could help reduce these incidents.

“If there is a hit and run, a judge can order that data to be held as evidence, so that does help in some cases,” Kevitt said.

Advocates say the law could finally give local leaders the tools to install red-light cameras and save lives.

“Are people going to continue to blow through Encinitas and drive recklessly? It’s only a matter of time. If we get these turned on, absolutely, I do believe they will save lives,” Van Deussen said.

SB 720 is set to take effect Jan. 1. According to the bill, revenue from citations would go toward traffic safety programs and traffic-calming measures. While privacy concerns were a major issue under the previous law, Kevitt said the new law addresses those issues.

Cities across California will now decide whether and how to roll out the cameras. Advocates say it is a common-sense step that could slow drivers down and improve safety at intersections.

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