Long Beach PCH Speed Safety Act by Senator Lena Gonzalez Clears Key Committee, Heads to Assembly for a Vote…

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Long Beach PCH Speed Safety Act (SB 1279) by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to improve safety and reduce speed-related traffic fatalities along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Long Beach, passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is now headed to the Assembly Floor for a vote.

While PCH accounts for just eight miles of Long Beach’s 217 miles of high-capacity roadway, 20 percent of the City’s crash fatalities occur along the corridor. PCH also runs directly through Long Beach neighborhoods and alongside schools, libraries, parks, businesses, and other destinations with significant pedestrian activity. Under current law, however, PCH is not a part of California’s speed safety camera pilot program.

Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in traffic collisions. Data shows that although fewer people use those three modes of transportation, they account for 65% of all traffic deaths and injuries in the City of Long Beach, despite being involved in only 14% of all traffic collisions. Behind these statistics are real experiences from community members, including a Long Beach woman who uses a wheelchair and shared recently that she has been hit by drivers multiple times while simply trying to get around her community.

As of August 10, 2026 there have been 27 fatal traffic collisions in Long Beach, putting the city on an alarming pace close to this time last year. In 2025, Long Beach recorded 54 traffic-related fatalities—the highest number in a decade and among the highest in the state.

SB 1279 would allow the City of Long Beach to place speed safety cameras along PCH as part of the existing state pilot program, providing an additional tool to address dangerous speeding.

“Everyone should be able to travel along the Pacific Coast Highway safely, whether they are driving to work, walking to school, biking to the park, or simply crossing the street in their neighborhood,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez. “SB 1279 is now one step closer to becoming reality, to provide Long Beach a proven tool to reduce dangerous speeding, and to make PCH safer and save lives.”

“As Chair of Long Beach City Council's Mobility, Ports, & Infrastructure Committee, I am incredibly grateful for Sen. Gonzalez's hard work and leadership in bringing this Bill through the State Senate and Assembly. Enhancing the Speed Safety Pilot Program to include PCH in Long Beach is crucial for the safety of our citywide community as it gives the City of Long Beach the ability to act against speeding and unsafe driving where it is needed most. Installing Speed Safety devices on PCH will save lives, marking a huge step forward in our goals to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Long Beach,” said Councilwoman Megan Kerr, Long Beach Fifth District.

“PCH is our most dangerous street, and speed cameras have proven to be an effective tool to slow drivers down. The speed camera program has been working in San Francisco and Oakland, and Long Beach’s cameras are supposed to go live this fall. Adding PCH to the list means we holistically address the roads that pose the greatest threat to Long Beach residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike,” said Kurt Canfield, Organizer, Car-Lite Long Beach.

California created its speed safety camera pilot program in 2023 to help participating cities reduce dangerous speeding and prevent severe and fatal crashes. Early results have demonstrated the potential of the technology, with San Francisco reporting a significant reduction in speeding of 72% within the first six months that speed safety cameras were deployed.

The bill also includes important guidelines for implementation, including:

Clear signage must indicate the area will be “Photo Enforced”, with flashing beacons.
Photographic records must be confidential, capture only rear license plates and used solely for purposes of the pilot.
A vehicle’s first violation for traveling 11 to 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit shall only be a warning notice.
For subsequent violations, a penalty of $50 shall be assessed for drivers going 11 to 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, $100 for 16 to 25 miles over, $200 for 26 miles or more over the posted speed limit, or $500 for a speed of 100 miles per hour or more.
For indigent speed safety violation recipients, the City must offer community service or educational programs in lieu of paying any penalty.
If neither of the above programs are taken up by an indigent speed safety violation recipient, the City must offer payment plans of $25 per month or less, and reduce applicable fines by 80%.

SB 1279 previously passed the California State Senate on a 33-6 vote. Following approval by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, the bill now advances to the Assembly floor for a vote.

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Senator Lena Gonzalez proudly represents one million residents in California’s 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Southeast Los Angeles, the City and Port of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Catalina Island. She serves as Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus and is a dedicated advocate on key priorities that impact Californians from economic development and environmental justice to LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, digital equity and more. Senator Gonzalez has championed major policies, including broadband for all, expanding paid sick leave, advancing clean transportation incentives, and ending neighborhood oil drilling. She lives in Long Beach with her family. To learn more, visit www.sen.ca.gov/gonzalez.

Councilwoman Megan Kerr represents Long Beach's Fifth District, and serves as Chair of the Council's Mobility, Ports, & Infrastructure Committee. As a lifelong Long Beach resident and a former School Board member, Councilwoman Kerr has long been devoted to civic improvement and the critical work of shaping a successful future for our city. She continues to focus her leadership and passion towards advancing community safety, well-being, and quality of life, in pursuit of a stronger, safer, more resilient city for all who call Long Beach home.

Car-Lite Long Beach is a grassroots community organization that advocates for safer streets and alternative modes of transportation. We believe that a better, safer, and more equitable Long Beach is possible by reducing car dependency.

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