Photo enforcement program for rail safety on Crenshaw Boulevard begins Oct. 1
A photo enforcement program along the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (L.A. Metro) future Crenshaw/LAX Line will begin Oct. 1, to deter motorists from disobeying traffic signals and illegally driving across the train tracks.
In October, motorists will receive warnings before actual citations are issued, starting Nov. 1.
Why are we implementing photo enforcement?
L.A. Metro is working to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities associated with red-light violations at all streets and highway rail-grade crossings. Although L.A. Metro does not yet have an opening date for the Crenshaw/LAX Line, the authority says it wants to get a head start on safety along the light-rail line, which will run at street level on Crenshaw Boulevard between 48th and 60th streets through Park Mesa Heights.
The goal here is simple: do everything possible to prevent collisions between vehicles and trains and to prevent injuries and fatalities. L.A. Metro says it believes the program will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in the Crenshaw District.
L.A. Metro began intermittent train testing on Crenshaw Boulevard in December 2020. The photo enforcement program is designed to detect motorists who make illegal left-hand turns across the train tracks and will operate at 10 intersections along Crenshaw Boulevard.
Motorists who disobey traffic signals and operate vehicles in an illegal manner after Nov. 1, will begin receiving traffic citations in the mail from Los Angeles Sheriff Department for violations at the 10 locations. Citations average around $100 and could include additional penalties and assessments.
L.A. Metro has previously implemented a photo enforcement program on its other light-rail lines and busways that have sections that operate at street level, including the A Line (Blue), L Line (Gold), G Line (Orange) and E Line (Expo).
The Crenshaw/LAX Line will bring 8.5-miles of new light-rail service between the E Line (Expo) and C Line (Green). The new light-rail line will have eight new stations serving the Crenshaw, Inglewood, Westchester and LAX communities. Riders will have easier connections within the Metro Rail system, municipal bus lines and other regional transportation services.
