San Francisco speed camera pilot program

An 18-month study by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) indicates that the city’s Speed Safety Camera Program has substantially reduced excessive speeding. Data shows that speeding by 10 mph or more above the posted limit has decreased by 84% at camera locations, which represents over 42,000 fewer daily violations. In specific areas near senior centers and schools, excessive speeding decreased by as much as 94%.

Findings from an independent study by UC Berkeley corroborated the SFMTA data. The program, which began in March 2025, appears to be influencing driver behavior; approximately 63% of drivers who received an initial violation notice did not receive a second, and 80% of vehicle owners received two or fewer notices.

Regarding privacy and regulation, the program operates under California Assembly Bill 645. The cameras are only triggered when a vehicle exceeds the limit by at least 11 mph. The technology is prohibited from photographing drivers, occupants, or windshields, and the use of facial recognition is explicitly banned. Following these results, advocates are calling for state legislation to expand the pilot program and make it a permanent fixture.