San Francisco’s transportation agency has approved a contract, established fines and set a date to introduce 33 speed cameras across the city as part of a pilot program next year.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency confirmed Thursday that it had secured a contract with Verra Mobility, a traffic technology firm based in Arizona, calling it the “last administrative hurdle” in launching the program.
The agency said it plans to roll out the cameras in February, more than a year after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation allowing San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and three other cities to pilot the program for five years.
San Francisco’s Vision Zero program, established in 2013, has struggled to make progress toward its goal of eliminating pedestrian deaths.
“We are thrilled to have reached a significant milestone in bringing speed safety cameras to San Francisco’s streets,” said Viktoriya Wise, streets director for the SFMTA, in a statement. “Speeding is the leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities in San Francisco. That’s why we’ve moved swiftly to be the first city in California to introduce this life-saving tool proven to reduce speeding and protect lives.”
Installation and testing of the cameras is scheduled to begin in December. San Francisco’s 11 supervisorial districts will each get at least two cameras in high-risk areas near schools, parks, senior centers and commercial zones. For the first 60 days of operation starting in February, the SFMTA will issue warning tickets without penalties. Come April, drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 11 mph will face fines that escalate based on speed and determined by the state.
For those traveling 11-15 mph over the speed limit, the fine is $50; 16-25 mph over speed limit yields a $100 fine; 26+ mph over speed limit will cost $200; and 100 mph over brings a $500 fine.
These cameras build on existing systems that deter red-light violations at key intersections. Under current law, speed cameras are barred from using facial-recognition software, limiting data collection to license plates only.
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S.F. Sets Launch Date for New Speed Cameras
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said it plans to roll out the cameras in February, more than a year after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation allowing San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and three other cities to pilot the program for five years.
