Long Beach is considering a new initiative to curb pedestrian fatalities by installing speed cameras on its most dangerous streets. The Long Beach City Council is set to vote this week on funding a five-year “Speed Safety System” pilot program, which would place 18 speed cameras citywide, including at high-risk intersections such as Ocean Boulevard and Pacific Avenue.
The move comes after another pedestrian was killed last week, contributing to what is becoming one of the deadliest years for pedestrians in the city. More than 50 pedestrians have died in Long Beach this year, marking the highest number in a decade. Advocates for traffic safety, like Samantha Acosta and Lili Trujillo Packet, support the initiative, believing that speed cameras will deter dangerous driving behaviors and save lives.
The proposed program, modeled after systems used in San Francisco, would issue fines ranging from $50 to $500, depending on how much a driver exceeds the speed limit. “Once they get their first ticket,” Trujillo Packet said, “They’ll know there are cameras — and they’ll avoid them.”
If approved, the cameras could be operational next year. For families who have lost loved ones, the vote represents more than just enforcement; it is about preventing future tragedies and ensuring no more empty chairs at the table.
NBC Los Angeles reports that the cameras are expected to function like red-light cameras, encouraging drivers to obey speed limits. Advocates argue that most pedestrian deaths are preventable, often caused by speeding and distracted driving.
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