New speed cameras in California city issue 82,000 tickets in a month after grace period ends

Newly implemented speed safety cameras in Oakland, California, have recorded approximately 82,000 citations during their first month of operation, according to preliminary data from the city’s Department of Transportation.

The data, covering March 15 to April 25, shows that the 35 cameras across 18 locations issued an average of 60 tickets per day per camera. Although the system was initially activated on January 14, the city was required by state law to give drivers a 60-day grace period during which only warning notices were sent.

Once the warning period ended, the fines went into effect using a tiered system based on speed.

Drivers caught going 11 to 15 mph over the posted speed limit are fined $50. The penalty increases to $100 for speeds 16 to 25 mph over the limit and to $200 for anything 26 mph or more over the limit. Any driver recorded at 100 mph or faster faces a $500 fine.

The cameras work by photographing the rear license plate of any vehicle going 11 mph or more over the limit, and the tickets are automatically sent through the mail. Because these are civil penalties rather than criminal violations, the citations do not lead to driver’s license suspensions or add points to a driving record.

According to municipal data, the highest volume of official citations occurred along southbound 73rd Avenue at the 2345 block, where 8,127 tickets were issued. The highest speed recorded at the location was 43.7 mph.

The highest overall speed captured by the network was 55.3 mph, recorded on southbound Hegenberger Road between Spencer and Hawley streets. That location accounted for 6,902 citations.

Kent Bravo, a spokesperson for the Oakland Department of Transportation, told SFGate that a secondary official report containing broader data and a comprehensive analysis is scheduled for release in late summer.

The cameras are part of a statewide pilot program authorized by Assembly Bill 645, which passed in 2023. The law allows six California cities — Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Glendale and Long Beach — to set up automated speed camera networks. The pilot program runs until January 2032, and most of the chosen cities are launching their cameras in phases between 2025 and 2026.

By comparison, San Francisco issued more than 16,500 tickets during its first month of enforcement last year.

Under state law, the program must offer discounts and diversion options for low-income drivers. In Oakland, low-income residents and public benefit recipients can get their fines cut significantly, reducing a standard $50 ticket to $10 and a maximum $500 ticket to $100. Drivers can also request community service, contest the ticket administratively or appeal the decision in superior court for a $25 fee.

To protect privacy, state rules prohibit facial recognition technology, require data to be kept confidential and mandate that photos showing no violation be destroyed within five business days.

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