SACRAMENTO – Senator Ben Allen (D-Malibu) applauded the Legislature’s passage of SB 1297 today to provide stronger speeding enforcement and safer roads along the Pacific Coast Highway’s (PCH) stretch through the City of Malibu.

“I’m grateful that my colleagues in the Legislature saw the wisdom and importance of this measure to save lives along the Pacific Coast Highway,” said Senator Allen. “These speed cameras will play a critical role in minimizing reckless driving on this beautiful but exceedingly dangerous stretch of highway. I am hopeful that Governor Newsom agrees with the overwhelming support this has received and signs this into law to keep Malibu residents and visitors safe.”

Malibu has been plagued by unique traffic hazards that consistently keep the city’s roads ranked among the most dangerous in the state. 134 car accidents resulted in a fatality or serious injury (FSI) from 2019-2023. No city among a similar population size had more FSI crashes. Few sidewalks or separated bike lanes, limited parking, and popular beaches and commercial establishments with minimal safe crossing paths all contribute to these risky conditions.

Building on a pilot program established last year, SB 1297 would allow the City of Malibu to utilize a speed camera system to enforce speed limits along a 21-mile stretch of the PCH. The five cameras would be strategically installed in areas identified as having the highest rates of speed-related collisions and fatalities.

The National Transportation Safety Board, Centers for Disease Control, and the Federal Highway Administration have all recommended using speed cameras to enforce speed limits because of their demonstrated success. In 2020, New York City installed a speed camera in each of their 750 school zones. One year later, it was reported that speeding at these locations fell by an average of 73 percent.

"The passage of SB 1297 marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to make the Pacific Coast Highway safer for everyone,” said Doug Stewart, Mayor of the City of Malibu. “This legislation will provide us with the tools we need to address the dangerous speeding that has claimed too many lives in our community. I am deeply grateful to Senator Allen for his leadership on this issue and to the entire legislature for recognizing the urgent need for these safety measures. We now look to Governor Newsom to sign SB 1297 into law so that we can begin implementing these critical protections in our community.”

"The approval of SB 1297 is just one more piece of the puzzle to save lives along one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in California,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), co-author of SB 1297. “This legislation builds on our efforts that led to Caltrans to spend over $4 million on road safety improvements along PCH over the past year.  Our work to make Malibu safer and to save lives has only just begun and I’m proud to continue working alongside Senator Allen to champion this important cause."

SB 1297 is now heading to the Governor’s desk.

Ben Allen represents the 24th State Senate District, which consists of the Westside, Hollywood, coastal South Bay, and Santa Monica Mountains communities of Los Angeles County.