California launched the Speed Camera Pilot Program to collect data to better understand and solve the significant number of high-speed crashes on roads and highways. Speed cameras capture details about vehicles going beyond the limit, which can help identify and locate the driver and prove the cause of the crash.
This article will help you better understand California’s new Speed Camera Pilot Program and how it can help prove high-speed crashes.
What is California’s New Speed Camera Pilot Program?
Assembly Bill No. 645, or One Law, gives local transportation agencies in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, and San Jose permission to install a restricted number of speed cameras on municipal streets where there are safety issues for five years as part of a pilot program. When a car speeds, the cameras immediately snap a photo of the license plate and mail a notice of violation to the registered owner.
California’s recently launched Speed Camera Pilot Program aims to increase traffic safety by installing speed cameras in specific locations throughout the state. Enforcing speed limits and discouraging speeding can eventually lower the frequency and severity of crashes brought on by driving too fast by gathering real-time data on vehicle speeds.
As required by law, drivers will be charged warning notices rather than fines for those who break the speed limit during the first 60 days of the initiative. The statute guarantees that low-income drivers will be eligible for community service credit instead of a fine or a decrease in acceptable amount.
Moreover, to address privacy concerns, the speed safety cameras will only take pictures of the license plate and rear of the car, not the driver’s face or windshield. If no infraction is issued, the authorities will keep images for a maximum of five days; if one is, they will be kept for 60 days.
Can the California Speed Camera Law Prevent Car Accidents?
Speeding is a prominent cause of traffic incidents in the United States, accounting for roughly one-third of fatal crashes during the past two decades.
Through the Speed Camera Pilot Program, the California Speed Camera Law has the potential to reduce the number of speed-related car accidents significantly. The law intends to discourage vehicles from going over speed limits by placing speed cameras in critical locations where high-speed crashes occur, lowering the possibility of accidents caused by high speeds.
More than 200 communities have placed speed safety cameras in the United States. New York City, for example, has recorded a 70% decrease in traffic-related fatalities and injuries in areas with speed cameras. An automated speed safety program was implemented in Portland, Oregon, and the city saw a 46% decrease in traffic deaths and an 85% decrease in excessive speeding.
With the significant positive effect on other states, California hopes that the California Speed Camera Law, through the Speed Camera Pilot Program, will help reduce car accidents, especially high-speed crashes.
Can the New Program Help Prove High-Speed Crashes?
The goal of the new Speed Camera Pilot Program is to lower the number of auto crashes, especially those in areas where they likely will occur. In personal injury, speed cameras can also provide high-speed crashes by providing information about the driver and showing real-time violations.
Identifying and Locating the Driver
Speed cameras will instantly take a picture of the license plate when a car goes over the limit, and they will also notify the registered owner through the mail of the infraction. With the camera’s advanced and intricate technology, its systems can detect and gather information about the speeding vehicle through the following:
- License Plate Recognition: Speed cameras frequently use LPR technology to obtain images of license plates on passing cars. Authorities can identify the car’s owner using the license plate number from the collected photographs, among other crucial information.
- High-Resolution Imaging and Infrared Technology: Modern speed cameras are equipped with high-resolution cameras that may record and capture detailed photos or videos of cars. Specific speed cameras also have infrared technology, allowing them to take pictures at night or in poor light. This guarantees that, at any time of day, infractions can be successfully found and logged.
- GPS and Position Tracking: When authorities combine GPS data with other information, like time-stamped photos, they can precisely determine the location of the speeding incident.
In a car accident claim involving high-speed vehicles, a speed camera can be a great tool and evidence to identify and locate the driver.
For instance, a driver who caused a high-speed crash fled the scene without notifying the officer. Since a speed camera was installed in the area, the technology was able to capture the plate number of the involved vehicle and quickly inform other local agencies to locate the driver.
Proving the Cause of the Crash
Speed cameras capture vehicles that exceed the limit and send the owner a notice of their violation in real-time. With proof of the violation, this can significantly shorten the time it takes to determine the cause of the accident.
For instance, a drunk driver who went over the limit crashed into you. Since the speed camera captured the driver’s speeding violation, it can be evidence to show that they were unaware of their speed and impaired during the high-speed crash.
However, using footage from speed cameras may require extensive leg work and knowledge. You may need to request a copy of the footage from the local agency handling speed cameras in the area. In this situation, it helps to have a car accident lawyer. They will communicate with these organizations to acquire the street camera footage, which they will then utilize to support your claim.
What Other Evidence Can Help Prove a Car Accident Claim?
Aside from footage from speed cameras, other evidence can help prove a high-speed crash when claiming compensation for the damages. This includes the following:
- Photos or Videos of the Accident Scene: Photos of the accident scene can capture damages from the crash that may show how severe the impact was and how the accident happened, such as skid marks or abnormalities on the road. Surveillance footage can also be used as evidence to prove the cause of the high-speed crash.
- Police Reports: When law enforcement personnel respond to an accident scene, they frequently draft an official police report. This report might include essential details regarding the crash’s cause, considering their observations, witness interviews, and any citations they may have given.
- Eyewitness Statements: These accounts can offer important context for understanding the events that preceded the collision. Witnesses might have observed the implicated drivers’ activities and other factors that may have contributed to the crash, like bad weather or road hazards.
- Accident Reconstruction: Professionals in accident reconstruction may help to reconstruct what happened before the crash in more complicated circumstances. These experts can assess variables like vehicle speed, trajectory, and impact forces to establish causality.
- Other Relevant Documents: Medical records, vehicle repair receipts, certificates of missed time at work, and others can prove the damages incurred in high-speed crashes. Usually, lawyers and insurance providers use such records to determine the overall compensation.
Lawyer’s Tip: When defining negligence in an accident, you must rule out all other factors that contributed to the crash to prove the other party’s liability in a collision. If you fail to do this, you may receive a reduced settlement, or the court may dismiss your case.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer to Prove a High-Speed Crash?
Usually, high-speed crashes result in catastrophic injuries and even death due to the significant impact of the collision. Unfortunately, if you sustain such injuries, you might not be able to collect evidence at the accident scene and handle your case. Without proof, your case will likely be dismissed even if the high-speed crash results from another driver’s negligence.
In such a circumstance, a California car accident lawyer can help assess the situation, collect evidence, prove liability, and deal with the negotiations to maximize your payout. They can additionally take the following actions to increase the possibility of a successful claim outcome:
- Gathering proof to support the argument.
- Evaluating the responsible party’s liability.
- Calculating the total amount of losses sustained.
- Initiating communications with the insurance company on your behalf.
- If required, take legal action.
Why Opt for California Accident Lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers
At Jacoby & Meyers, our steadfast commitment to aiding accident victims in obtaining the justice they deserve remains steadfast. We are dedicated to serving our communities by ensuring access to vital medical care for those affected by accidents.
Our legal team has streamlined an effective process to ensure that you are well informed about your legal rights and receive the justice you deserve:
- Maintaining transparent and open communication throughout the entirety of your case.
- Skillfully negotiating with insurance companies to secure fair and just compensation on your behalf.
- Assisting in coordinating appropriate medical treatments as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Addressing any additional concerns related to your accident to alleviate your worries.
- Safeguarding your legal rights by establishing liability, assessing the extent of damages, and vigorously advocating for your claim.
We offer a complimentary consultation where you can receive legal guidance from our team of California accident attorneys. To explore your legal options, contact us at 800-500-0000.
Jacoby & Meyers. Because Everyone Deserves Justice.
Hear From Our Past Clients
While numerous law firms may make comparable assertions, we can provide robust legal assistance to our clients. Consequently, we urge our past clients to share their positive experiences utilizing our legal services.
“The team was outstanding. I was more than satisfied with their work. You can be sure that they’re working hard for you. 1st choice, best choice. 100% recommend.” -Cecilia
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have further questions regarding wrongful death claims? We got you! Here are some frequently asked questions from injured auto accident victims that may help explain some aspects of your case.
- What is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
- What Happens if the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?
- Who is Liable For a Snow Car Accident?
- How To Document Witness Testimonies for Car Accidents in California
- What is the Average Compensation for Paraplegia or Spinal Cord Injury from a Car Accident in California?
Works Cited
Saved by the Camera: How New York Can Use Its Red-Light and Speed Cameras to Prevent Deadly Crashes, 9 November 2017. Accessed 28 March 2024.
“Assembly Bill No. 645.” California Legislative Information.
“News & Updates.” Vision Zero SF. Accessed 28 March 2024.
“TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS Speeding-Related Collisions.” California Office of Traffic Safety. Accessed 28 March 2024.
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