Gov. Newsom weighs signing bill to add speed cameras on Long Beach's PCH

State Senate Bill 1279 cleared the California legislature, allowing Long Beach to place two speed-camera units along an eight-mile segment of Pacific Coast Highway that accounts for about 20% of the city’s traffic fatalities since 2020. Senator Lena Gonzalez argued the addition would give the city a proven tool to curb dangerous speeding and protect motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and schoolchildren. The system will automatically capture rear license plates of vehicles exceeding the posted limit, keep the data private, and display signs to alert drivers.

A grace period offers warnings for first-time offenders who are 11-15 mph over the limit, while repeat violators could be fined between $50 and $200, and those traveling over 100 mph could face a $500 ticket; low-income drivers may qualify for reduced fines or community service. Damian Kevitt of Streets Are For Everyone emphasized the need for rapid implementation after three deaths this year. Governor Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bill, which would lift the current state prohibition on cameras on that highway.