Speeding is part of daily life on a lot of Los Angeles streets, and the city is now trying something new to slow drivers down. In March 2026, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a plan for up to 125 speed safety camera locations across the city, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
If you drive, walk, or ride in Los Angeles, it helps to know what this program is and what it is not. And if you are ever hurt in a crash, it helps even more to know what to do in the hours and days that follow.
What the City Approved
FOX 11 reports that the program is authorized by a state law, AB 645, and is run by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), not by the police. Here are the key points from that report:
- The council adopted the final reports and location maps on March 24, 2026.
- The sites were identified as high risk. They include busy corridors, major intersections, and areas with a history of crashes and heavy foot traffic.
- Locations are spread across the San Fernando Valley, central Los Angeles, the Westside, South LA, and the Harbor area. LADOT publishes a map.
- A camera citation is triggered when a driver is going at least 11 mph over the limit. Fines range from $50 to $500.
- Installation was expected from April through July 2026, followed by a public information campaign, a 60-day warning period with notices but no fines, and then tickets starting in late 2026.
- Money from the program has to go back into traffic safety, such as street design changes and Vision Zero projects.
This is not the city’s first try at camera enforcement. FOX 11 notes that Los Angeles ran red light cameras in the early 2000s and shut them down in 2011.
What a Speed Camera Does Not Do for You
A speed camera is a tool for slowing traffic. It is not a claims process for people who get hurt. A camera citation goes through the city’s program. It does not pay your medical bills, replace your lost wages, or fix your car.
If another driver hits you, your recovery still runs through the usual path: the facts of the crash, the other driver’s insurance, and in some cases your own coverage. That is true whether the crash happened near a camera or miles away from one.
So the practical question is the same one it has always been. What should you do to protect your health and your claim after a crash in Los Angeles?
Steps to Take After a Crash in Los Angeles
- Get to safety and call 911. If anyone is hurt, ask for medical help. Ask for police to come to the scene so there is an official report.
- Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like neck and back strain or a concussion, can take a day or two to show up. A visit soon after the crash also creates a record that ties your injuries to the collision.
- Take photos and video. Capture the cars, the street, traffic signs, skid marks, and your injuries. Note the cross streets and the time.
- Get names and contact information. Collect the other driver’s license, plate, and insurance details, plus contact information for anyone who saw what happened.
- Look around for cameras. Businesses, homes, and buses often have cameras. Footage can be erased quickly, so write down where you see them.
- Be careful with the other driver’s insurance company. You do not have to give a recorded statement right away. Keep what you say short and factual, and do not guess about speed or fault.
- Keep every record. Save medical bills, receipts, repair estimates, and notes about missed work and how you are feeling day to day.
Why Speed Matters in a Claim
Speed often plays a big part in how serious a crash is and in who is found at fault. When a driver was going too fast for the conditions, that fact can matter a great deal to an insurance company or a court. Witness statements, photos, the police report, and any available video are the kinds of evidence that help show what really happened.
You do not have to prove all of that on your own. A lawyer can help gather the evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and present your claim while you focus on getting better.
Talk to a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash anywhere in the city, our Los Angeles car accident lawyer page explains how we can help, and you can learn more about how we handle car accident cases across California.
NMF Law Group offers a free consultation, and there is no fee or costs unless we win. Every case is different and depends on its own facts, but a short conversation can help you understand your options.