The City of Malibu is nearing completion of construction on its Pacific Coast Highway Speed Safety System and has begun the program's public education and outreach phase.
Over the coming weeks, the city will inform residents and motorists about how the system works, where cameras will be located, when enforcement begins and how the program aims to reduce speeding along Malibu's 21-mile stretch of PCH.
"Our goal is to improve safety for everyone who uses Pacific Coast Highway, whether they are driving, biking, walking, visiting, or commuting through Malibu," Mayor Bruce Silverstein said, adding that excessive speeding has caused "unimaginable tragedy" on the roadway.
Since 2010, more than 60 people have died in traffic collisions along Malibu's section of PCH. In 2023, there were 220 reported crashes resulting in 93 injuries and seven deaths. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says speed is a primary factor in most injury or fatal collisions.
The push for action intensified in October 2023, when four Pepperdine University students were killed by a speeding driver while standing along PCH. The city then declared a PCH safety emergency and formed a coalition with state and county officials, the Sheriff's Department, the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and community partners.
The program was made possible through legislation authored by state Sen. Ben Allen and signed into law in September 2024.
The system uses lidar and camera technology to detect vehicles traveling at least 11 mph above the posted limit, then captures the rear license plate and generates a citation. Under state law, the city may operate up to five camera systems with 10 cameras.
Revenue will first recover program costs, with any remaining funds going toward additional traffic-calming measures alongside Caltrans.
The initial education phase runs from Aug. 18 through late September. A 60-day warning period begins when the system activates in late September, with drivers receiving warnings only. Enforcement with civil penalties begins in late November. Violations do not result in license points or insurance penalties.
Non-violation data will be deleted immediately, and violation records destroyed within 60 days after a case is resolved. The city says the system records only when a violation is detected and will not share data with other agencies. The program includes a diversion option for eligible low-income residents, an appeals process and public oversight.
Learn more at www.malibucity.org/PCHsafetycameras.
Edited by SMDP Staff