Speed Safety Cameras Background & Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Oakland installing speed safety cameras?

Every week, two Oaklanders are killed or seriously injured by traffic violence. These crashes disproportionally impact BIPOC communities, seniors, children and people with disabilities. The Safe Oakland Streets (SOS) Initiative aims to prevent severe and fatal traffic crashes, eliminate injury inequities and carefully assess and mitigate any equity impacts resulting from safety measures.  

Speeding is a major factor in traffic deaths and injuries. Speeding is dangerous for myriad reasons: a driver's field of vision is narrowed, reducing the likelihood that potential hazards can be seen and avoided, and drivers have less time to react and maneuver out of dangerous situations when travelling at higher speeds. Safely negotiating curves is also compromised. 

Speed safety cameras have proven highly effective at preventing traffic deaths and injuries in cities across the Untied States and around the world, and Oakland's leadership has supported the multi-year effort to implement speed cameras through changes to state law.

Are these speed cameras the same as the Flock Safety cameras?

No. This speed safety camera program is a completely separate and different kind of program.OakDOT contracted with speed safety technology vendor Verra Mobility to implement this program, not Flock Safety.

 

How does the program factor in privacy?

Assembly Bill 645, the authorizing bill for speed cameras, only authorizes the use of photographs that capture the rear of the license plate, not the windshield or face of driver. The legislation prohibits the use of video or facial recognition software. Camera footage may be retained for five days if no violation is issued, or 60 days if a violation is issued. Finally, footage is collected by the Department of Transportation and may not be shared or used for any other purpose.

How does the program factor in equity?

AB 645 includes several provisions related to equity, including: 

  • Small fines that start at 11 mph over the speed limit ($50) and offer a 50-80% fine reduction if unable to pay (vs. hundreds for traditional speeding tickets) 

  • Citations are non-moving violations, meaning no points on a driver's license or impacts to insurance. 

  • Removing interactions between police and the community at traffic stops that have the potential to escalate. 

How many speed cameras are coming to Oakland?

The state law allows a proportional number of cameras to the city’s population. For Oakland, there will be 18 locations with speed safety camera systems.

How were speed camera locations chosen?

Following AB 645 requirements, the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) identified 18 locations utilizing the High-Injury Network (HIN)—the 6% of Oakland’s streets that account for 60% of severe and fatal collisions in Oakland. OakDOT collected data on vehicle speeds at over 40 locations before narrowing down to 18 candidate locations. Locations were prioritized based on observed speeding as well as proximity to sensitive land uses such as schools, senior centers and commercial districts. The 18 locations are: 

  1. Martin Luther King Junior Way (between 42nd and 43rd streets) 
  2.  Claremont Avenue (Between Hillegass Avenue and College Avenue) 
  3.  Foothill Boulevard (Between Irving Street and 24th Avenue) 
  4.  Foothill Boulevard (Between 19th and 20th avenues) 
  5.  7th Street (Between Adeline and Linden streets) 
  6.  West Grand (Between Chestnut and Linden streets) 
  7.  Broadway (Between 26th and 27th streets) 
  8.  San Pablo Avenue (Between Athens and Sycamore streets) 
  9.  7th Street (Between Broadway and Franklin Street) 
  10.  Macarthur Boulevard (Between Green Acre Road and Enos Avenue) 
  11.  Fruitvale Avenue (Between Galindo Street and Logan Street) 
  12.  International Boulevard (Between 40th and 41st avenues) 
  13.  Hegenberger Road (Between Spencer and Hawley) 
  14.  73rd Avenue (Between Fresno and Krause) 
  15.  Bancroft Avenue (Between 86th Avenue and Auseon Avenue) 
  16.  98th Avenue (Between Blake Drive and Gould Street) 
  17.  98th Avenue (Between Cherry and Birch) 
  18.  Bancroft Avenue (Between 61st and 62nd avenues) 

 

What speed will trigger a notification of violation?

The state law specifies any speeding 11 miles per hour or over the posted speed limit would trigger a violation. Notifications of violations will be mailed to the registered owner of the speeding vehicle within two weeks of the violation.

What is the timeline for the rollout of the speed camera project?

The program will begin issuing warnings and speeding tickets in early 2026. Program timeline shown below:

  • Summer 2024: Finalized data collection on the High-Injury Network to determine camera locations. Presented updates to City Council, the Privacy Advisory Commission, advocacy groups and other stakeholders. 

  • Winter 2024: Issued an RFP for consultant services to implement and operate a speed camera program. 

  • Summer 2025: Received formal approval from Oakland City Council to implement the program and award a contract to Verra Mobility to implement and operate the camera technology. 

  • November/December 2025: Camera installation began along with a month-long public education campaign. Cameras are calibrated and tested. 

  • January 2026: Cameras activated on Jan. 14 with a 60-day warning period. Citations issued after the warning period.  

 

How often do you calibrate the cameras?

All radar equipment is calibrated and certificated by a 3rd party vendor at least once a year and undergo routine inspection every month. For the calibration specification sheets, visit our calibration document page.

 

 

Have questions or comments? Contact speedcameras@oaklandca.gov.

 



Related Pages

Speed Safety Cameras Pilot Program

Safe Oakland Streets

Related Documents

OakDOT_Speed-Cameras-Use-Policy-Updated-5.7.25.pdf(PDF, 110KB)

OakDOT-Speed-Cameras-Impact-Report-Updated-5.7.25.pdf(PDF, 232KB)

Contact

Email

speedcameras@oaklandca.gov

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