Oakland -- Every week, two Oaklanders are killed or severely injured in traffic crashes on city streets. With 1 out of every 4 traffic fatalities involving unsafe speed as a primary factor, the City of Oakland is taking its first steps toward implementing automated speed safety cameras, which have proven to reduce speeding and traffic-related injuries and fatalities across the United States.
“Speed is a killer on our roadways, and is especially dangerous for pedestrians, children, and our elders,” said Mayor Sheng Thao. “I applaud and stand proudly behind OakDOT’s efforts to use this proven and effective tool to prevent the tragic loss of life we see on Oakland streets today.”
With recent state authorization under Assembly Bill 645 (AB 645), Oakland is authorized to install and operate a limited number of speed safety camera systems during a five-year period alongside five other pilot cities (San Francisco, San Jose, Glendale, Long Beach and Los Angeles).
“Speed safety cameras are a proven tool to reduce speeding and improve safety on our streets,” said Josh Rowan, Director of OakDOT. “These systems are a force multiplier for traffic safety outcomes when combined with the infrastructure investments we are making on our High-Injury Network.”
Speed safety cameras will enforce speed limits 24/7 at 18 locations across Oakland. Citations under AB 645 are civil penalties that start at $50 for traveling 11-15 miles per hour (MPH) over the speed limit. Reduced fees and community service are available for those who are low-income and meet specific criteria. Speed safety cameras will only photograph rear license plate images of speeding vehicles, and AB 645 prohibits use of video or facial recognition technologies. AB 645 also prohibits speed safety cameras on state-owned streets—in Oakland, this includes portions of International Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, 42nd Avenue, and Doolittle Drive. Lastly, AB 645 requires speed safety camera systems to be placed in locations that are “geographically and economically diverse.”
Under AB 645 requirements, OakDOT has identified these 18 locations utilizing the City’s recently updated 2024 High-Injury Network (HIN)—the 8% of Oakland’s streets that account for 60% of severe and fatal collisions in Oakland. OakDOT collected data on vehicle speeds at over 40 locations before narrowing down to 18 candidate locations—prioritizing locations with the most documented speeding, as well as proximity to sensitive land uses such as schools, senior centers, and commercial districts.
Before the camera systems are activated, Oakland must solicit proposals and award a contract to a speed camera vendor, conduct additional community outreach, and adopt project-specific legislation. Oakland anticipates beginning speed camera enforcement in the second half of 2025. All citations issued in the first 60 days will be fee-free warnings as required by state law.
For more information and to receive updates, please visit www.oaklandca.gov/speed-cameras or email speedcameras@oaklandca.gov.
