City of Oakland to launch automated speed safety camera program
Published on December 01, 2025
Cameras aim to curb reckless driving, prevent crashes
Oakland, Calif. — The City of Oakland will soon launch its new automated speed safety camera program to change driver behavior and slow traffic — ultimately reducing crashes and fatalities, making the city’s streets safer for all road users.
In the coming weeks, Oakland will begin installing high-tech safety cameras at 18 locations throughout the city. The cameras can detect when a vehicle is traveling 11 MPH or more above the posted speed limit. When a vehicle is recorded speeding, the camera captures the license plate and a citation is mailed to the registered owner.
The Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) will implement a phased approach beginning with public education and awareness efforts. After that, there will be a period of issuing warnings and then finally issuing citations.
“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."
“Saving lives is our top priority, and managing vehicle speed is one of the most effective strategies we have to prevent these tragic fatalities,” said Josh Rowan, Director of OakDOT. “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.”
Speed camera locations were chosen based on crash data and speed studies across Oakland’s High Injury Network (HIN) — the 8% of streets that account for 60% of severe and fatal collisions in the city. During the studies, some locations saw more than 10,000 vehicles traveling at 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit in one day.
There will be a 60-day warning period from when the last camera is turned on, which is expected by mid-January 2026. After the warning period, the program will begin issuing citations for all violations. Citations are expected to start in spring 2026. Fines will start at $50 and increase to up to $500 for those traveling more than 100 mph.
The goal of the public education campaign is to inform the public about the dangers and risks of speeding, as well as how the speed safety program aims to save lives. The slogan is ‘Slow down. Avoid a fine. Save a life.’
The City of Oakland contracted Verra Mobility, a leader in speed safety technology, to administer the program. To ensure security and privacy, the cameras will only monitor vehicles with a speed of 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit, capturing images of only vehicle license plates. These images will be sent securely for review and approval to OakDOT, which will verify the infraction before a fine is issued to the vehicle’s owner.
“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 one of seven pilot cities in California to be granted legislative approval to implement this safety initiative.
For more information on the new speed safety program and camera locations, visit the Oakland website.
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About the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)
OakDOT is responsible for envisioning, planning, building, operating and maintaining a transportation system for the City of Oakland and assures safe, equitable, and sustainable access and mobility for residents, businesses and visitors. OakDOT’s Strategic Plan guides the department’s work, and is structured around four pillars: Equity, Safety, Sound Infrastructure, and Responsible Governance.
About Verra Mobility
Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM) is a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions that make transportation safer, smarter and more connected. The company sits at the center of the mobility ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, hardware, software, data and people to enable safe, efficient solutions for customers globally. Verra Mobility’s transportation safety systems and parking management solutions protect lives, improve urban and motorway mobility and support healthier communities. The company also solves complex payment, utilization and compliance challenges for fleet owners and rental car companies. Headquartered in Arizona, Verra Mobility operates in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information, please visit www.verramobility.com.