Speed cameras are officially coming to Long Beach in 2026, marking one of the most significant traffic enforcement changes the city has seen in decades. Approved under a statewide pilot program, the automated speed enforcement initiative aims to curb dangerous driving behaviors—especially excessive speeding and street racing—that have contributed to a surge in serious injuries and fatalities across the city.
City officials say the goal is not revenue generation, but saving lives. With traffic deaths now outpacing homicides in Long Beach, leaders argue the timing could not be more urgent.
This article breaks down where the speed cameras will be installed, how enforcement will work, how much tickets will cost, how data will be handled, and what comes next—including potential expansion to major corridors like Pacific Coast Highway.
Why Long Beach Is Installing Speed Cameras
Long Beach is joining a California speed camera pilot program approved in October 2023, which allows a limited number of cities to test automated speed enforcement. While seven cities were authorized to participate, San Francisco is currently the only one that has fully launched. Long Beach plans to follow in 2026.
The urgency stems from alarming safety data:
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Since the pilot law was signed, more than 3,200 crashes have occurred in Long Beach
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Over 20% of those crashes were caused by speeding, according to state collision data
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In 2024 alone, nearly 3,000 people were injured, with speed playing a role in one-quarter of all crashes
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From 2014 to 2024, Long Beach recorded over 400 fatalities and 40,000 injuries from traffic collisions, per a 2025 report by the Southern California Association of Governments
Most striking: 55 people have already been killed in traffic crashes this year, exceeding both last year’s total and the city’s homicide count.
Street safety advocates say this is the deadliest year since before the 1990s.
Where Speed Cameras Will Be Installed
While the city has not finalized every camera location, officials have confirmed several overlapping corridors where speeding, truck traffic, and street racing converge—especially along Long Beach Boulevard.
Long Beach Boulevard: Three Cameras, Three Problems
Long Beach Boulevard will receive three separate speed cameras, each targeting a different safety issue:
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E. San Antonio Drive to 45th Street
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Identified as part of the city’s High-Injury Network
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Heavy truck traffic corridor
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History of severe collisions involving speeding vehicles
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Victoria Street to Market Street
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Located in a school zone
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Persistent illegal street racing despite reduced speed limits
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High pedestrian risk
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Artesia Boulevard to 70th Street
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Highest rate of street racing incidents citywide
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Frequently used by trucks and high-speed commuters
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City officials say these corridors represent “repeat-offense zones” where traditional enforcement has failed to meaningfully reduce dangerous behavior.
How Speed Camera Enforcement Will Work
According to Public Works Director Josh Hickman, Long Beach’s speed camera program is designed with transparency and driver awareness in mind.
Clear Warning Signage
Drivers will not be surprised by enforcement. The city will install:
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“Photo Enforced” signs within 500 feet of each camera
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Additional signage posted further upstream to give drivers time to slow down
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Pole-mounted camera systems that are clearly visible
“This is about behavior change, not catching people off guard,” officials emphasized.
What the Cameras Will (and Won’t) Record
One of the most common concerns surrounding speed cameras is privacy. Long Beach officials have outlined strict limits on data collection:
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Cameras will only photograph the rear license plate
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No photos of drivers’ faces will be taken
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License plate data will not be shared with law enforcement
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Tickets are issued by Public Works staff, not police
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All data is deleted once the citation is resolved
Because tickets are mailed to the registered owner, the person cited may not have been the driver—similar to red-light camera enforcement.
Ticket Fines, Warnings, and Income-Based Reductions
Drivers will have time to adjust before enforcement becomes punitive.
First 60 Days: Warnings Only
For the first two months after launch, all violations will result in warnings, not fines.
After the Grace Period
Once enforcement begins:
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Speeding 11+ mph over the limit triggers a $50 base fine
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Severe speeding escalates quickly
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Driving 100 mph or more can result in fines up to $500
Ability to Reduce or Avoid Fines
The program includes several equity-focused options:
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Fines can be reduced by up to 80% based on income
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Tickets may be negotiated down
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Drivers can substitute community service for payment
Officials say these measures are intended to avoid disproportionately impacting low-income residents.
Cost of the Program—and Where the Money Goes
The speed camera program is fully funded by citations, not taxpayer dollars.
Program Costs
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$835,000 in the first year
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$1.6 million annually for operations
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$8.9 million total over the five-year pilot period
Use of Revenue
Any revenue beyond operating costs must be reinvested in traffic safety improvements, including:
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Speed humps and raised crosswalks
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Flashing pedestrian beacons
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Lane narrowing and road diets
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Other traffic-calming infrastructure
City leaders stress that profits cannot be diverted to the general fund.
How Success Will Be Measured
The pilot will be considered successful if it achieves:
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A 20% reduction in excessive speeding, or
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A 20% reduction in repeat offenses at camera locations
If those benchmarks are met, Long Beach plans to advocate for expanded authority from the state.
What Comes Next: PCH and State Roads
Mayor Rex Richardson says momentum is building to extend speed enforcement beyond city streets.
“I know there’s a lot of enthusiasm here—from the public side and the City Council side,” Richardson said. “Traffic fatalities have increased post-pandemic and fluctuate wildly.”
Pacific Coast Highway Expansion
Depending on the pilot’s results, city officials want to push legislators to allow cameras on state-controlled roadways, including Pacific Coast Highway.
Separately, recent legislation allows Caltrans to install 35 speed cameras in construction and maintenance zones statewide, including segments of PCH. That program runs through 2032.
Public Opinion: A Divided Response
Despite rising fatalities, public sentiment around speed cameras remains mixed.
A city survey conducted between October and November found:
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48% opposed the cameras
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41% supported them
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The remaining respondents were undecided
Of the 98 responses received, 95 focused on the city’s impact report. Officials have not released detailed breakdowns of the feedback, and no changes were made as a result of public engagement.
Supporters argue the data speaks for itself. Critics worry about fairness, surveillance, and government overreach.
Why Long Beach’s Decision Matters
Long Beach’s speed camera rollout will be closely watched across California. If successful, it could accelerate adoption in other cities grappling with street racing, reckless speeding, and post-pandemic driving behavior.
For drivers, the message is clear: slow down, especially on high-risk corridors. For the city, the gamble is whether automated enforcement can succeed where traditional policing has fallen short.
With hundreds of lives lost and thousands injured over the past decade, Long Beach is betting that visible cameras, clear warnings, and predictable enforcement can finally bend the curve on traffic violence.
As 2026 approaches, one thing is certain—how fast you drive in Long Beach is about to matter more than ever.