SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, February 8, California State Assemblymember David Chiu met with Mayor Edwin M. Lee to present Assembly Bill 342, also known as the Safe Streets Act of 2017, which would make make automatic speed cameras and ticketing legal.
“Speed kills. Sadly, we know too well that this is true in San Francisco and throughout California,” said Chiu in a press release.
San Francisco and San Jose will allow the installation of speed cameras. Their function is to capture an image of any vehicle traveling 10 mph over the speed limit. The owner will later get a citation in the mail and a fine of $100.
“Speed kills. Sadly, we know too well that this is true in San Francisco and throughout California,” said Assemblymember David Chiu. “We know how to fix this crisis on our streets. It is time we take this important step to put an end to these senseless traffic fatalities.”
“In San Francisco, we want communities where people can safely work, shop, play and live,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “For that to happen, we need to enforce speed limits on our city streets. Automated Speed Enforcement will allow us to realize that goal, along with helping us eliminate all traffic fatalities as part of our Vision Zero plan.”
“Automated Speed Enforcement can play a key role in helping make our cities safer, particularly for our pedestrians and bicyclists, seniors and children,” said Mayor Sam Liccardo. “We need to explore all opportunities to protect the most vulnerable users of our streets, and I’d like to thank Assemblymember Chiu, Mayor Lee and our many other partners for their support of piloting this proven technology in our two cities.”
If passed, the Assembly Bill 342 would be authorized in January 2019. It would introduce a pilot program, utilizing an automated speed enforcement system, to reduce speeding and prevent accidents.
Additional details on Chiu’s official announcement can be viewed below:
- A reduction in drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit
- A reduction in citations issued as drivers change their dangerous driving behaviors
- A reduction in crashes that result in serious injury or death.
“Excessive speeding is often the difference between a minor collision and a fatality,” said California State Senator Scott Wiener.
Written By Maria Chavez and Donald Roberts
