Instant fines: how cameras in California and New York are cracking down

California officially began enforcing AB-645 on January 1, 2026, launching a pilot program that allows speed-enforcement cameras in certain cities, including Los Angeles, to automatically fine drivers who exceed posted limits.

Supporters of the measure say it is designed to reduce crashes in sensitive areas such as school zones, high-accident corridors, high-speed arterials and residential streets with a history of speeding.

What is AB-645 and what penalties does it carry?

Approved in 2024, California’s AB-645 sets a speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour (about 25 mph) within 150 meters (roughly 500 feet) of a school. In some cases, the limit can be reduced to 24 kilometers per hour (about 15 mph). Cameras are allowed to capture license plates, and citations are then sent by mail. Fines vary by city but can range from $50 to $500, depending on how much the driver exceeds the limit.

Drivers are advised to carefully review any official notice received by mail, strictly observe posted speed limits and pay close attention to clearly marked zones, since the law requires that camera locations be signposted to prevent abuse and ensure transparency.

New York also expands traffic camera use

A similar push is underway in New York City, where the city’s Department of Transportation announced that 250 new red-light cameras will be activated over the next six weeks, bringing the total to around 600 before the end of the year.

Previously, state law capped the number of cameras the city could operate, but legislation passed in 2024 authorized an additional 450 devices. “Running red lights is one of the most dangerous behaviors on our streets and puts all New Yorkers at risk,” said Mike Flynn, commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation. Drivers who fail to stop at a red light can face a $50 fine.

Not everyone supports the expansion. In Suffolk County, a red-light camera program was shut down in 2024 after a court ruled that additional administrative fees tied to the fines were illegal. Over 14 years, the program generated $290 million in fines.

Why the controversy?

While road-safety organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety back the use of cameras to curb deadly crashes, critics argue that the systems have become a form of stealth revenue generation, pointing to cases like Suffolk County.

The debate has also reached the courts. In Virginia, a federal judge recently allowed a lawsuit to move forward filed by two residents opposing license-plate-reading cameras in Norfolk. They claim the technology violates the Fourth Amendment by enabling police to track vehicles without a warrant.

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