A Frightening Encounter on PCH
Driving with family should be routine, not terrifying. Yet one night in El Segundo, California, I was stopped at a red light near the Chevron Refinery at El Segundo Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) with my 12-year-old son when an alarming event unfolded.
As the light turned green, a small black car, possibly a BMW, rocketed past us going well over 100 miles per hour. The engine’s fumes lingered in the air as it disappeared down PCH, likely turning into Manhattan Beach.
For a split second, I thought about the what ifs: what if that driver had lost control and plowed into us while we sat motionless? What if someone had been pulling out of the Chevron station? The incident was a chilling reminder of the dangers of street racing and reckless driving on busy Southern California roads.
Could a Camera Have Captured It?
After calming down, I wondered: could any traffic cameras in the area have captured this street racer? I checked PhotoEnforced.com and cross-verified with Google Street View. To my surprise, there were no speed cameras or red-light cameras at that intersection.
That realization sparked another question: if a business or the city did have video cameras and I was able to get footage showing the car and its license plate, could this evidence be used to prosecute reckless driving?
Can You Legally Obtain Traffic Camera Video?
Here’s the challenge: access to traffic camera footage is limited. Many drivers believe they can simply request video from city or highway cameras, but it’s rarely that easy.
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Ownership of cameras varies. Some are managed by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), others by the City of El Segundo, and some by private businesses.
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Strict release rules. Public agencies often require a formal legal process before releasing footage. Private businesses may require subpoenas or police involvement.
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Time sensitivity. Many traffic cameras overwrite footage quickly, sometimes within 24 to 72 hours. Acting fast is essential.
Without legal help, obtaining footage on your own is usually slim to none. Most agencies will only release video directly to law enforcement officers or through a court order.
Using Camera Footage in Prosecution
If police are willing to pursue the case, traffic or security camera footage can become valuable evidence. Capturing a license plate number or a clear view of the vehicle can support charges such as:
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Reckless driving
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Exhibition of speed (street racing)
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Criminal speeding (see criminal speeding laws by state)
Still, every case depends on jurisdiction, availability of footage, and whether prosecutors believe it’s strong enough for court.
Why Doesn’t El Segundo Have More Cameras?
What troubled me most was learning that El Segundo doesn’t have red-light cameras, speed cameras, or even license plate readers at one of its busiest intersections.
I’m not arguing for ticket-issuing cameras on every corner. But basic traffic monitoring systems could help police track patterns of reckless driving and provide valuable evidence when incidents occur.
License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras are already used in many cities across California to record cars entering and exiting certain areas. They help with stolen vehicle recovery, criminal investigations, and yes, tracking street racers. See more:
It seems reasonable for a city like El Segundo—located next to freeways, the beach, and a refinery—to consider this technology.
Steps You Can Take if You Witness a Street Racer
If you’ve experienced something similar, here are practical steps you can take:
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Stay safe first. Do not chase or engage with the driver.
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Document details. Note the car’s color, make, model, and direction of travel.
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Check nearby businesses. Gas stations, refineries, or shops may have exterior cameras.
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File a police report. Share all available information. If footage exists, police can request it.
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Act quickly. Many video systems overwrite in days, not weeks.
While you may not personally obtain the footage, your report could help authorities secure it before it’s gone.
The Bigger Picture: Street Racing as a Growing Epidemic
What happened in El Segundo is part of a larger global problem. Street racing and reckless driving have surged in popularity, fueled by:
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Social media challenges glamorizing stunts and high-speed driving.
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Wide, open roads in suburban and industrial areas with little enforcement.
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Lack of visible deterrents like cameras or frequent patrols.
Sadly, the consequences are often deadly. Innocent drivers and pedestrians are killed each year by racers treating public streets like drag strips.
For more on how to report unsafe driving, see Can you report dangerous driving?.
Why Obtaining Footage Matters
Even if you can’t personally download traffic camera video, pushing for more accountability is critical. Cameras act as both:
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Deterrents. Knowing an intersection is monitored discourages reckless driving.
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Evidence tools. They give police and prosecutors what they need to hold dangerous drivers accountable.
As cities weigh privacy concerns against safety, experiences like mine show that a lack of monitoring leaves communities exposed.
Final Thoughts
That night in El Segundo could have ended very differently. I was lucky. My son was lucky. But next time, someone might not be.
So, how can you obtain traffic camera video of a street racer?
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On your own, chances are low.
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With police cooperation or legal representation, it’s possible.
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Acting quickly and reporting details is essential.
Ultimately, the bigger solution lies in cities installing more traffic monitoring cameras, ALPR systems, and enforcement technology. Until then, street racers will continue to exploit unmonitored roads, leaving families like mine vulnerable.
Map of Where Street Racing Occurred in El Segundo & Where Cameras Should Be