Young Bill Would Cut Philly Speed Camera Fines
Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. proposes lower fines for speeding violations caught by automated enforcement cameras in Philadelphia.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Should Philadelphia lower fines for speeding caught by traffic cameras?
Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. introduced a bill to reduce fines for speeding violations caught by automated enforcement cameras. Safety advocates expressed alarm that the bill would weaken a program that saves lives.
Why it matters
Philadelphia roadways saw a 26% one-year drop in crash fatalities in 2025, and speed cameras are a central part of the city's effort to reduce deaths. Young introduced the bill to make sure the law is fair and equitable, while critics warn lower fines could erode the deterrent effect.
The bill has been introduced but no hearing date has been set. It may be amended to apply only to the 5th and 8th Districts near North Broad Street in response to colleagues' concerns.
The players
Jeffery Young Jr.
Philadelphia City Councilmember who introduced the bill to reduce speed camera fines, saying he wants the law to be fair and equitable.
Parking Authority
The Philadelphia Parking Authority, which operates the city's speed camera enforcement program.
PennDOT
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, whose crash statistics lag by about a year.
The details
Speed cameras in Philadelphia issue violations starting at 11 miles over the speed limit, with current fines of $100 for up to 20 mph over, $125 for up to 29 mph over, and $150 for 30 mph or more. The Parking Authority runs the camera program, which began on North Broad Street after the speed limit was lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph.
Timeline
2020: Speed cameras installed on Roosevelt Boulevard, where fatalities have since fallen 40%.
2025: Speed cameras installed on North Broad Street; citywide crash fatalities dropped 26%.
November 2025: Cameras began operating on Broad Street.
March 30, 2026: End of period measuring a 67% drop in speeding on Broad Street.
November 6, 2026: City's annual Vision Zero report released and Young's bill reported.
Legal Context
New York City's speed camera program, which carries a flat $50 fine, is cited as a comparison point as Philadelphia weighs lowering its own tiered penalties. Philadelphia's Roosevelt Boulevard corridor, where fatalities fell 40% after cameras were installed in 2020, provides local evidence of the program's effectiveness.
If the bill passes, drivers caught by Philadelphia speed cameras would face lower fines, with a 15 to 20 mph violation dropping from $100 to $50. Residents near North Broad Street and Roosevelt Boulevard would see enforcement continue in areas where crash fatalities have fallen.
The takeaway
Speed cameras have a measurable record in Philadelphia, but the fine level is now a policy choice that will determine how strongly drivers are deterred. Readers following the proposal should track the hearing schedule and any amendments that narrow the bill's geographic reach.
Further reading
For more on how traffic enforcement is handled locally, see Philadelphia Law Enforcement coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Should Philadelphia lower fines for speeding caught by traffic cameras?
