San Jose is rolling out a long-anticipated speed safety camera pilot program, designed to enhance public safety by encouraging drivers to reduce their speed. Installation and testing of the 33-camera network are currently underway, with the program slated for a December 14 launch.
For the initial 60 days following the launch, motorists detected by the cameras will receive warning citations. After this introductory period, fines will range from $50 to $500, depending on the severity of the speeding violation.
Over its five-year duration, San Jose will continuously monitor the program's impact on roadway speeds, the total number of traffic citations issued, and whether those citations are disproportionately affecting low-income drivers or members of minority groups. Vice Mayor Pam Foley, a strong advocate for the initiative, expressed satisfaction with the city reaching this milestone, emphasizing that speeding is a leading cause of fatalities on city streets and these cameras are expected to promote slower driving and save lives.
This program is an outcome of Assembly Bill 645, a state law passed in 2023, which also authorized five other California cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, to implement similar pilot initiatives. Outside of these pilot programs, California law generally prohibits the use of speed cameras for traffic enforcement.
San Jose's five-year program carries an estimated cost of approximately $16 million, which covers the installation and maintenance of the camera network, as well as overall program management. A key challenge arose when a previously expected $8.5 million federal grant, which officials had factored into the program's funding, was withdrawn. Colin Heyne, spokesperson for the city’s Department of Transportation, described this as a "significant blow" and a primary reason for San Jose's later start compared to other participating cities.
Camera locations were strategically chosen based on areas with high volumes of speeding and frequent crash incidents, particularly those situated near schools, parks, hospitals, and senior centers. The devices will activate and photograph a vehicle's rear license plate when it is detected traveling at least 11 mph above the posted speed limit. Following a review by a Department of Transportation official, a notice will then be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. As of a recent update, four of these devices have been installed, each featuring two stationary cameras to cover both directions of traffic. Three are located along Saratoga Avenue, and a fourth is on Curtner Avenue.
Revenue collected from traffic citations will first be allocated to cover the costs of the program. Any remaining funds will then be dedicated to broader traffic safety improvements within San Jose. This new system will complement a smaller, separate network of four red light cameras that have been operational under a pilot program launched last fall.
While welcomed by traffic safety advocates, the speed cameras have faced scrutiny from civil rights advocates who have voiced concerns that such technology could be used as a tool for surveillance and potentially disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. San Jose officials have addressed these concerns by stating that the program includes safeguards to prevent misuse. They affirmed that the cameras will only capture still photos of vehicles' rear license plates, and the collected data will not be shared with other government agencies, except under specific, limited circumstances, such as in response to a court order.
Clarrissa Cabansagan, Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, underscored the importance of the program, noting that speeding is a main factor determining whether someone survives a crash. City data shows that between 2021 and 2025, speeding was the primary cause of over 5,300 traffic collisions in San Jose, resulting in 41 deaths and 265 severe injuries.
In 2015, San Jose adopted a Vision Zero program with the aim of eliminating traffic deaths through a combination of roadway improvements and community outreach, in response to a years-long surge in deadly collisions. While some improvements have been noted, with 2025 recording 41 traffic fatalities — the lowest number since 2012 — advocates emphasize that the goal of zero fatalities has not yet been met. They consider the camera program a crucial step in encouraging drivers to slow down and understand their responsibility on the road.
