Los Angeles motorists could soon be paying for a heavy right foot, with the city preparing to switch on its new automated speed enforcement system Monday.
The cameras will target speeding vehicles across major thoroughfares, with penalties reaching $500 for the most extreme violations.
The first phase will feature roughly 20 cameras, with the city ultimately planning 125 enforcement sites across LA’s 15 council districts by the end of 2026.
Four intersections have been confirmed for the initial launch, putting drivers on notice at some of the city’s busiest junctions:
- La Brea Avenue and 1st Street
- Fairfax Avenue and Clinton Street
- Melrose Avenue and Hayworth Avenue
- La Cienega Boulevard and Pico Boulevard
The cameras are also set to be installed along portions of Sunset Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard, Venice Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
The system will photograph rear license plates when vehicles travel at least 11 mph above the posted speed limit. Officials are targeting areas near schools and senior centers, along with locations where street racing has been documented.
The price of speeding rises sharply with the violation. Drivers going 11 to 15 mph over the limit face a $50 fine, while those exceeding it by 16 to 25 mph face a $100 ticket. The penalty reaches $200 for speeds at least 26 mph over the limit, while driving at 100 mph or more carries a $500 fine.
Unlike criminal traffic offenses, the camera citations are classified as civil violations. According to the program details, they will not add points to a driver’s record or affect personal auto insurance rates.
Drivers who are initially captured breaking the speed limit will only receive warnings by mail during a 60-day grace period before the fines kick in.
The rollout follows a unanimous March 24 vote by the LA City Council authorizing the five-year pilot under California Assembly Bill 645. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is overseeing the launch.
Officials have not released a precise schedule for installing the remaining 105 cameras.
Each council district is expected to get cameras at approximately eight locations, with additional cameras directed toward areas experiencing high crash rates.
Revenue from the fines must go back into local safe-street infrastructure projects intended to protect pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
