SACRAMENTO, CA — On February 20, 2026, Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 1279 to make Long Beach safer by addressing speed-related fatalities on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). 

For two years, six cities including Long Beach have been rolling out a speed camera pilot program, placing speed cameras in areas like high-injury intersections and streets with elevated crash rates. These speed cameras are already making streets safer – since activating speed cameras, San Francisco has seen a 72% decrease in speeding. Unfortunately, current law does not allow Long Beach to place speed cameras along the PCH, where over 20% of the City’s speeding-related fatalities occur. 

While the PCH only accounts for 8 miles of Long Beach’s 217 miles of high-capacity roadway, it accounts for 39 of its 192 crash fatalities since 2020. That means that 20% of the City’s crash fatalities have occurred on less than 1% of its roads. SB 1279 will give the City the authority it needs to place speed cameras along the PCH and make this road safer for the community.

“We can’t ignore that one in five of our city’s speed-related deaths occur on the PCH,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez. “To protect the pedestrians, bikers, and drivers of Long Beach effectively, we need to improve safety along this corridor. Let’s give Long Beach the authority it needs to use proven tools and calming-traffic measures that keep our city safe.”

“I have long advocated for stronger traffic safety measures on the PCH, and this bill will do that to help save lives,” said Long Beach City Councilwoman Suely Saro. “The PCH has seen far too many pedestrian and traffic accidents and fatalities, and we have a responsibility to act with urgency. By focusing on proven strategies that slow speeds, reduce fatalities, and prioritize equity, we are taking a meaningful step toward a safer corridor for everyone who lives, works, and travels through our community. Safety should never depend on who you are or where you live, and this effort moves us closer to safe streets for all.”  

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Senator Lena Gonzalez proudly represents one million residents in California’s 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Southeast Los Angeles, the City and Port of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Catalina Island. She serves as Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus and is a dedicated advocate on key priorities that impact Californians from economic development and environmental justice to LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, digital equity and more. Senator Gonzalez has championed major policies, including broadband for all, expanding paid sick leave, advancing clean transportation incentives, and ending neighborhood oil drilling. She lives in Long Beach with her family. To learn more, visit www.sen.ca.gov/gonzalez.