Six Months After Deployment, Speed Cameras in San Francisco Reduced Speeding by 72 Percent Across 15 Sites and Lowered Average Speeds by 4 MPH.
Data from California Automated Speed Enforcement Program Showed Decreases in Speeding at Camera Locations.
San Francisco, California, United States
Our Speed Cameras are Working: Initial Evaluation Shows Drivers are Slowing Down
Summary Information
Speeding is a major contributor to severe injuries and fatalities, and transportation agencies are increasingly using automated camera enforcement to deter speeding and improve roadway safety. In 2023, the California legislature authorized specific cities to establish speed camera programs. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Speed Safety Camera program launched on March 20, 2025, and began issuing warnings as of June 2025 and citations as of August 2025. Cameras were located at 33 places throughout the city. The cameras took still images, and each suspected speeding violation was reviewed by the SFMTA staff. This study evaluated the impact of speed cameras on traffic speeds using sensor readings at various locations in the city.
METHODOLOGY
SFMTA used pneumatic tubes to measure vehicle speeds at all 33 locations before camera installation, establishing a baseline for driver behavior. Post-installation speed data were collected at 15 locations in September 2025. The agency also analyzed data on warnings and citations for June, July, and August 2025.
FINDINGS
- On average across the 15 locations, there was a 72 percent reduction in speeding, defined as more than 10 MPH above the posted speed limit.
- There was a 4 MPH decrease in average speeds and approximately 20,000 fewer speeding vehicles per day.
- Before installation, 12 of 15 locations had average speeds higher than the posted speed limit. After, average speed was below the posted speed limit at all 15 sites.
- The average speed for an issued violation has decreased each month between June and August.
- For that same period, two-thirds of vehicles that received a warning or citation did not receive a second one.
