San Jose crews installed 33 automated speed enforcement cameras across the city over the weekend of Oct. 17-18, 2026, starting a five-year pilot allowed under state law AB 645. Drivers will get warnings first. Paid citations of $50 to $500 are expected to begin around February, ABC7 reported.
Why it matters: San Jose has recorded 41 traffic deaths so far this year, and the city calls speeding its top known cause of fatal and severe-injury crashes. San Francisco and Oakland already run speed cameras under the same law.
Where the cameras are
There are 33 camera locations, the most the law allows San Jose, with at least one in every City Council district. The city says it picked sites based on crash history and places where drivers often go 10 mph or more over the limit. It also gave weight to streets near parks, hospitals and senior centers. School zones were left out because state rules limit when cameras there can run.
Two of the new cameras are on Saratoga Avenue near the spot where a woman died in a motorcycle crash several weeks ago, ABC7 reported. The city's project page has a map of the locations.
What the tickets cost
A camera only triggers when a car goes at least 11 mph over the posted limit. On a 30 mph street, that means 41 mph or faster. AB 645 sets the fines:
- 11-15 mph over: $50
- 16-25 mph over: $100
- 26 mph or more over: $200
- 100 mph or faster: $500
For the first 60 days of the program, and for 60 days after any new camera goes in, drivers get warnings only. A driver's first violation at 11-15 mph over is also just a warning. Tickets go to the registered owner and do not add points to a driving record. Speeding tickets from the cameras are not reported to the DMV.
Lower-income drivers can ask for reduced fines, a payment plan or community service. You can request a free review within 30 days and then an administrative hearing if you still disagree.
Privacy rules
The cameras take still photos of the rear license plate only. They don't record video or photograph drivers, and facial recognition is banned. Photos are kept five days if no ticket is issued and 60 days if one is. A city transportation staffer reviews every citation before it is mailed, and the law bars sharing the data with other agencies unless a court order or subpoena requires it.
Cost and results
The city estimates the pilot will cost $15.4 million to $17.9 million over five years, and it won an $8.5 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. Ticket revenue pays for the program first. Anything left over can only go to traffic safety projects.
In San Francisco, Mayor Daniel Lurie's office says dangerous speeding fell 84% at camera locations in the first 18 months. Read our report on San Francisco's results. San Jose has to review each camera after 18 months. If repeat speeding at a spot hasn't dropped by 20%, the city may move the camera or add traffic calming there.