Press Release,
9/19/2026
breaking news
125 locations selected for automated speed enforcement. Drivers could receive tickets in the mail without ever being stopped by police.
Special Report | Tehran Weekly Magazine | September 2026
Los Angeles drivers should pay closer attention to posted speed limits. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) is preparing to introduce an automated speed enforcement program featuring cameras at 125 locations throughout the city.
The program is designed to reduce speeding, prevent serious traffic collisions, and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.
Camera activation is planned in phases during late summer and fall 2026. Each location will have its own activation date and warning period before monetary penalties begin.
How Do the Speed Cameras Work?
The cameras automatically measure the speed of passing vehicles. When a vehicle travels at least 11 miles per hour above the posted speed limit, the system can capture an image of its rear license plate.
The recorded information is reviewed before a violation notice is mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.
Drivers do not need to be stopped by a police officer for a violation to be recorded.
Under California Assembly Bill 645, each newly activated camera must operate under a 60-day warning period.
During this initial period, drivers who exceed the enforcement threshold will receive warning notices rather than monetary penalties.
After the warning period ends, actual citations may be issued, with fines beginning at $50.
Because cameras will be activated in phases, warning periods may begin and end on different dates depending on the location. Drivers should not assume that every camera in Los Angeles will begin issuing tickets simultaneously.
Where Will the Cameras Be Installed?
LADOT has selected 125 locations based on traffic collision data, speeding patterns, and roadway safety concerns.
Priority is being given to streets with histories of severe crashes and areas where pedestrians face increased risks.
Locations near schools, senior centers, and pedestrian crossings are among those considered for automated enforcement.
The program also requires warning signs displaying the speed limit and indicating camera enforcement to be installed no more than 500 feet before the cameras.
Will the Cameras Photograph Drivers’ Faces?
According to LADOT, the system is designed to capture rear license plates rather than photograph drivers’ faces.
The city states that personal information collected through the program is subject to privacy protections and restrictions on sharing with law enforcement, except where permitted or required by California law.
Why Is Los Angeles Installing These Cameras?
According to LADOT, speeding was directly associated with approximately one in five fatal traffic collisions in Los Angeles in 2024.
City officials hope automated enforcement will encourage drivers to slow down, reduce dangerous driving behavior, and prevent serious injuries and deaths.
The initiative is authorized as a five-year pilot program. Its safety outcomes and financial performance will be evaluated and reported to state lawmakers.
IMPORTANT WARNING TO ALL DRIVERS
If the posted speed limit is 35 mph, driving at 46 mph or faster could trigger a camera violation.
To avoid tickets and, more importantly, protect lives:
Always follow posted speed limits.
Slow down near schools, residential neighborhoods, and pedestrian crossings.
Pay attention to speed camera warning signs.
Never ignore an official warning or citation received in the mail.
Remember that a police officer does not need to be present for a speeding violation to be recorded.
A few minutes saved on the road are never worth a serious accident or a human life.
Where Can Drivers Find the Camera Locations?
Drivers can visit the official Los Angeles Speed Safety System website to view the camera location map, learn about enforcement procedures, and check the latest program updates.
A message from Tehran Weekly Magazine: Drive responsibly, respect speed limits, and help make Los Angeles streets safer for everyone.