New California Traffic Laws: Speed Cameras, Crosswalks, and DUI Rules

The new California traffic laws drivers are most likely to run into cover automated speed cameras in six big cities, a return of red light cameras statewide in 2026, a strict new 20-foot buffer around every crosswalk, and an expanded duty to slow down and move over for any car stopped with its hazards on. A new excessive-speeding infraction arrives in 2027, and new vehicles sold from the 2030 model year will have to beep when you go more than 10 mph over the limit.

Speed Cameras in Six Cities

Assembly Bill 645 authorized Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and San Francisco to install automated speed cameras.¹ The pilot runs through January 1, 2032. Cameras can only go in designated safety corridors, school zones, and streets with a documented history of street racing or sideshows.²

A camera only triggers when you are at least 11 mph over the posted limit. Fines are civil, not criminal, and no points go on your driving record.³ The amounts step up with how fast you were going:

11 to 15 mph over: $50, with a warning for your first ticket at this tier
16 to 25 mph over: $100
26 or more mph over: $200
100 mph or faster: $500

San Francisco reduces those fines for low-income drivers and people on public benefits, cutting the $200 tier to $100 or $40 depending on your situation.⁴ As of early 2026, San Francisco is the only city issuing citations, with 33 cameras in service since mid-2025. Oakland has started installation, San Jose and Glendale are finalizing their programs, and Los Angeles is aiming for late 2026.

If the ticket arrives and you weren’t driving, you can submit a declaration naming the actual driver and the citation will be redirected.

Separately, Malibu got its own five-year, five-camera program under SB 1297, aimed at the city’s highway corridors and school zones.⁵

Red Light Cameras Return in 2026

SB 720 took effect January 1, 2026, and lets any local government in California set up automated red light cameras. Tickets carry civil penalties only, with no points, the same framework used for the speed cameras.⁶ California had largely wound down its earlier red light programs years ago, so this is a reopening rather than a continuation. Expect cities to decide one by one whether to adopt the technology.

No Parking Within 20 Feet of a Crosswalk

Assembly Bill 413 forbids parking within 20 feet of the approach side of any crosswalk, marked or unmarked.⁷ Where a curb extension sticks out, the buffer drops to 15 feet. The rule applies even if the curb isn’t painted red and no sign is posted. The goal is sight lines: a parked car at the corner hides pedestrians from drivers and drivers from pedestrians.

Cities could only issue warnings during a grace period that ended January 1, 2025. That window is closed. Standard parking citations now apply statewide, so the convenient spot near the corner that always seemed to be open is probably open for a reason.

Slow Down and Move Over for Any Car With Hazards On

AB 390 took effect January 1, 2026, and expanded the Slow Down, Move Over law to cover any stationary vehicle displaying flashing hazard lights or another warning device. The old version mostly covered emergency vehicles and tow trucks. The new version includes highway maintenance crews and ordinary drivers pulled onto the shoulder.⁶ When you see those flashers ahead, slow down and change lanes if an adjacent lane is open.

Sideshows, Street Takeovers, and Impounded Cars

A package of 2025 laws gave police broader authority at sideshows and street takeovers. AB 1978 allows impounding a vehicle used to barricade a road or parking facility for a speed contest, with no requirement that the driver be arrested first. AB 2186 authorizes removal of a vehicle used in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility for up to 30 days. AB 3085 adds speed contests in parking facilities to the offenses that permit court-ordered impoundment. AB 2807 confirms that “vehicle sideshows” and “street takeovers” refer to the same conduct, closing a definitional gap defendants had used.⁵

License Plate Coverings Now Illegal to Make or Use

With cameras expanding, the legislature went after plate tampering from both sides. AB 2111, in effect in 2025, bans altering your plate’s reflective coating to defeat electronic capture, which covers the spray-on products and films marketed to foil toll readers and speed cameras.⁵ AB 1085, effective January 1, 2026, makes it an infraction to manufacture a plate-obscuring product in California, with a $1,000 fine.⁶

Bike and E-Bike Changes That Affect Drivers

Under AB 1909, cyclists can enter an intersection on the pedestrian walk signal, so you may see riders moving before your light turns green. When you pass a cyclist, you now have to move into an adjacent lane if one is available, rather than relying on the old three-foot buffer in the same lane.⁸ The same bill lifted the statewide ban on class 3 e-bikes using bike paths and trails, though local authorities can still restrict e-bikes on equestrian, hiking, and recreational trails.

Two county-level pilots let local officials set e-bike age limits. AB 1778 allows Marin County and its cities to bar riders under 16 from class 2 e-bikes and require helmets. AB 2234 lets San Diego County bar riders under 12 from class 1 and class 2 e-bikes.⁵ Both expire January 1, 2029.

Longer Probation After DUI Deaths

AB 1087, effective in 2026, lengthens probation for vehicular manslaughter and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Where probation was previously two years, courts can now impose three to five years. AB 366 extends the statewide Ignition Interlock Device pilot for repeat DUI offenders through January 1, 2033; covered offenders have to pass a breath test before the vehicle will start.⁶

Autonomous Vehicles on the Road Next to You

SB 480 lets autonomous vehicles display special marker lamps starting in 2026, so other drivers and police can tell when a car is in self-driving mode.⁶ AB 1777, effective in 2025, gives officers a way to cite the manufacturer directly through a “notice of autonomous vehicle noncompliance” when a driverless car commits an alleged traffic violation.⁵

Coming in 2027: An Excessive Speeding Infraction With Points

SB 1509 takes effect January 1, 2027. It creates a new “excessive speeding” infraction for driving 26 mph or more over the posted limit on roads where the limit is 55 mph or less. Unlike speed camera tickets, this one puts points on your record: one point for a first offense, two points for any repeat within three years.

Coming in 2030: Speed Warnings in New Cars

SB 961 requires every new passenger vehicle sold or leased in California starting with the 2030 model year to include a passive speed warning system. Go more than 10 mph over the posted limit and the car gives a one-time visual and audio alert. The system cannot slow the car or cap your speed, only notify you. Emergency vehicles and motorcycles are exempt.

Payment Plans for Parking Tickets

AB 1299 takes effect in 2026 and requires local governments to offer payment plans for parking citations, and lets them waive or reduce penalties for people who cannot afford to pay.⁶ Also worth knowing: SB 1313 bans devices designed to defeat a car’s driver monitoring system, and SB 1394 requires manufacturers to let drivers cut off remote access to a vehicle and its location data in certain situations, a protection aimed at domestic violence survivors.⁵

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California Legislative Information. AB-645 Vehicles: Speed Safety System Pilot Program
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California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 22425
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Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Speed Safety System
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SFMTA. Speed Safety Cameras
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California DMV. DMV Highlights New Laws in 2025
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California DMV. DMV Highlights New Laws in 2026
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California Legislative Information. AB-413 Vehicles: Stopping, Standing, and Parking
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California Legislative Information. AB-1909 Vehicles: Bicycle Omnibus Bill