Speed cameras are now in San Francisco. Let’s build on this win.

Last Thursday, San Francisco launched its speed camera program. Our city is the first in the state to use this lifesaving technology.

It was a long road to this historic win. Walk SF’s first attempt to pass a state bill allowing speed cameras was nearly a decade ago, led by former Assemblymember David Chiu. 

By the fifth attempt to pass a speed camera bill in the California legislature in 2023, it was getting hard to keep the faith. The trips to Sacramento were the most difficult part, especially for Families for Safe Streets members who had to share their heartbreaking stories again and again. 

But how could we stop fighting for a solution that’s proven to reduce the number of severe and fatal crashes by as much as 58%?

With the support of Walk SF members, we kept going. And now we can see this long fought solution in action: changing driver behavior, reducing crashes, and preventing tragedies.  

Last week, I got to celebrate with many of the supporters, leaders, and partners that were part of making this moment happen. Here are some of the photos from Mayor Lurie’s press conference in the morning, and the celebration that Walk SF and Families for Safe Streets hosted in the evening.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-4

Jenny Yu speaking at Mayor Lurie’s press conference launching speed cameras. Jenny's mom Judy was hit by a speeding driver in the Richmond district. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-6

Walk SF Executive Director Jodie Medeiros, Mayor Daniel Lurie, and City Attorney David Chiu posing with Families for Safe Streets members. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-5

The official unveiling of speed cameras in San Francisco. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-1

City Attorney David Chiu with Families for Safe Streets members John Lowell and Jenny Yu. Chiu championed the first attempts at state legislation as an Assemblymember. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-18-1-1-1

Mayor Daniel Lurie speaking at the press conference launching speed cameras. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-116-1-1-1

SFMTA staff, past and present, who both pushed for the legislation and worked to get speed cameras up quickly so they can start saving lives. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-101-large-1

Walk SF Executive Director Jodie Medeiros with Families for Safe Streets member Stephan Bingham. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-2025-happy-hour-speed-camera-launch-fiona-yim-8-large-1-1

Mayor Daniel Lurie speaking at the speed camera celebration happy hour. Photo by Fiona Yim.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-3

Former District Supervisor Norman Yee, a crash survivor himself, who helped found Families for Safe Streets. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-speed-camera-launch-events-william-mcleod-8

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Madelman speaking at the speed camera celebration happy hour. Mandelman's district will be getting three speed cameras. Photo by William McLeod.

march-20-2025-happy-hour-speed-camera-launch-zefania-6-1

Walk SF Executive Director Jodie Medeiros speaking at the speed camera celebration happy hour. Photo by Zefania Preza.

There was a ton of media coverage of the launch of speed cameras last week, too. If you read one thing, it should be Jenny Yu’s opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Also we recommend this piece from KQED, this story from CBS News, and this story from NBC Bay Area.

What’s next now that speed cameras are here?

Speed cameras are now at 33 locations in San Francisco, the maximum number allowed within the current legislation. 

For comparison, New York City has speed cameras at more than 2,400 locations. Walk SF will push for legislation to expand San Francisco’s speed camera program as soon as it’s feasible. Our city needs to have adequate cameras for the challenge, which is growing as vehicles become bigger, heavier, and more powerful. 

But there are many other solutions that can be harnessed right now to keep speeds slow and safe – everywhere. Lower speed limits, turn calming, lane reductions on the widest streets, and speed humps are some of these solutions.

That’s why we’re asking city leaders to put speed front-and-center in the next Vision Zero policy and plan.

We need the City to dramatically scale up street design changes that keep drivers going safe speeds. Help us put the pressure on before the City’s Vision Zero policy and plan is finalized.

Many thanks to many!

This long journey means there’s a long list of people and partners to thank.

• City Attorney David Chiu, who championed the first attempts at state legislation as an Assemblymember. When he left the Assembly, he still wouldn’t give up. Chiu passed the torch and lit a fire under Assemblymember Laura Friedman and her team, who got Assembly Bill 645 over the finish line.
• Our State Senator Scott Wiener, who was crucial with getting Assembly Bill 645 out of the Senate. 
• To former District Supervisor Norman Yee, a crash survivor himself, who helped found Families for Safe Streets. This group has been crucial in changing hearts and minds in the state legislature to support speed cameras.   
• To the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who unanimously supported speed cameras and eagerly welcomed them into their districts.
• To our nonprofit advocacy partners. This includes local partners like the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and KidSafe SF – and also partners statewide including Streets For All who went to Sacramento with us and fought alongside us.
• To many leaders and staff at SFMTA who both pushed for the legislation and worked so hard to get speed cameras up quickly so they can start saving lives. This includes: Former SFMTA Director Jeff Tumlin, Director Julie Kirschbaum, Viktoriya Wise, Kate Breen, Katy Angotti, Amanda Eaken, Ricardo Olea, Shannon Hake, Justin Horng, and the SFMTA Board of Directors. 
• To the Walk SF members. Your financial support meant that Walk SF could work on this for nearly a decade. You also made so many phone calls and sent thousands of emails to legislators and eventually to Governor Newsom at crucial moments.
• To the Walk SF staff and Board, who work so hard on behalf of pedestrians every day. 

And most of all, to the members of Families for Safe Streets, whose courage is changing what’s possible. This is your win.

Banner Image: William McLeod