An automated camera system focused on speeding drivers — which issued 140,000 warnings in five weeks — started sending out real tickets on Sunday, Oakland officials say.
The camera system detects vehicles traveling 11 mph or more above the posted speed limit, captures the license plate and mails a citation to the registered owner.
City officials say the system is aimed at changing driver behavior and slowing traffic, ultimately reducing crashes and fatalities.
“Street safety is public safety,” Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said in a statement. “With this program, we are strengthening our commitment in keeping everyone safe whether you walk, bike, take public transit or drive in Oakland.”
In a five-week period, the system sent 140,000 warnings to 74,000 unique license plate holders. About 64% got one warning. Holders of 26,000 plates received two or more warnings.
A camera monitoring southbound traffic at 73rd between Fresno and Krause averaged 320 warnings a day, officials said.
The northbound camera at Broadway between 27th and 28th Streets averaged 296 warnings a day; the southbound camera there averaged 243.
Cameras are installed at 18 locations that account for the most severe and fatal collisions in Oakland. The system photographs only the rear-facing license plate, not the windshield or face of driver. Facial recognition software is prohibited.