The City of Oakland is preparing to introduce an automated speed safety camera program aimed at reducing traffic crashes and fatalities. The initiative will see the installation of cameras at 18 locations across the city in the coming weeks. These cameras are designed to detect vehicles traveling 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit. When such a violation is recorded, the system captures the vehicle’s license plate and sends a citation to the registered owner.
The Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) will roll out the program in phases, starting with public education and awareness campaigns. This will be followed by a warning period before citations are issued.
“Too many Oaklanders are being hurt or killed because of dangerous speeding,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “This program is a smart, life-saving step forward and brings us closer to streets where everyone can travel safely.”
Josh Rowan, Director of OakDOT, stated, “Saving lives is our top priority, and managing vehicle speed is one of the most effective strategies we have to prevent these tragic fatalities. We’re excited to lead the way in making roads safer as the second city in the state to implement a speed safety camera program and are confident it will make a meaningful difference.”
Camera locations were selected based on crash data and speed studies focused on Oakland’s High Injury Network (HIN), which represents 8% of city streets but accounts for 60% of severe and fatal collisions. Some sites recorded over 10,000 vehicles exceeding the threshold speed in just one day during these studies.
A 60-day warning period will begin once all cameras are operational, expected by mid-January 2026. After this period, citations will be issued for violations starting in spring 2026. Fines start at $50 and can reach up to $500 for speeds exceeding 100 mph.
The public education campaign aims to inform residents about speeding risks and details of the new program under the slogan: ‘Slow down. Avoid a fine. Save a life.’
Verra Mobility has been contracted by Oakland to administer the program. The company specializes in speed safety technology and will ensure that only vehicles exceeding speeds by at least 11 mph over posted limits are monitored, with images limited to license plates only for privacy reasons. All infractions will be reviewed by OakDOT before fines are issued.
“Oakland is a leader in road safety nationally as they become the second city in California to adopt the thoughtful framework established in AB645,” said Will Barnow, vice president at Verra Mobility. “Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for children in the U.S., and dangerous speeding is a major factor. We are honored to be a partner in the city’s commitment to making streets safer.”
Oakland is among seven pilot cities statewide authorized through legislation to implement this type of safety initiative.
More information about camera locations and details on the program can be found on the City of Oakland website.
