Rancho Palos Verdes Won't Pursue CA's Automated Speed Cameras Program, For Now

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — City officials have decided not to pursue the idea of bringing speed cameras to Rancho Palos Verdes at this time.

During a city council meeting on Tuesday, Rancho Palos Verdes city staff presented a report on a California program that allows eligible cities to take part in a five-year pilot to install automated speed enforcement cameras.

But Rancho Palos Verdes officials decided not to pursue joining the program at this time, according to a weekly administrative report, citing that the city is likely ineligible.

To be eligible for the program, cities must conduct a detailed traffic study that identifies high-injury or fatality corridors, according to city officials. It also has to analyze five years of speed-related collision data, secure a legislative sponsorship, draft speed safety system use policies, prepare impact reports, and identify funding.

"Perhaps instead of giving us directions to pursue, maybe it's something to continue to monitor," City Manager Ara Mihranian told city council members Tuesday. "As this pilot program in the state of California proceeds and more cities start to launch the program, we can then come back and give you a report on that."

For now, city officials will be turning their focus on collecting data from its already established speed feedback signs, according to the report. This will allow the city to coordinate with the Lomita Sheriff's Station on enforcement operations, according to city officials.

Mihranian says speeding and loud vehicle exhaust have been problems along Rancho Palos Verdes' arterial streets.

City officials are looking for ways to mitigate the issue. The possibility of joining the program was just one of the new options the city was at. It is also looking into whether drones could be used to improve enforcement.