San Francisco to start issuing speed camera tickets next week

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The warnings are about to run out for speeding drivers in San Francisco. The 33 speed cameras scattered throughout the city are about to start sending real citations.

Come Tuesday, drivers caught speeding will receive fines from $50 to $500.

The cameras might not be officially up and running for another few days, but SFMTA says the data that they've already collected from their trial period shows that they're working as intended.

SFMTA data shows over the past few weeks, warnings have dropped around 30% and that about 70% of drivers caught speeding don't do it again.

RELATED: Here's how many speeding drivers SF's new traffic cameras caught in May

The agency says they're also taking extra precautions on some of the most problematic intersections to try and make them even safer.

"We are adding additional engineering tools. We are actually making the speed limit signs bigger. We are posting signs on the streets more frequently. And we are adding paved speed limit roadway markings," said Viktoriya Wise, SFMTA director of Streets.

The cameras' installation has been years in the making and has gained the support of many transit and pedestrian safety advocates in the city.

Luke Bornheimer is the executive director of Streets Forward.

"I think it's great to see them finally coming online, and I hope that they'll be effective at making people drive slower on those streets," he said.

RELATED: Here's what SF will do with the millions of dollars it could generate with speed camera citations

Bornheimer says while he supports the installation of the speed cameras, he thinks more needs to be done.

He tells me he wants city leaders to make roadway safety a priority in San Francisco.

A goal he believes has to include not just cars, but also pedestrians and other forms of transportation, too.

"I think protected bike lanes, transit only lanes, these are the types of things that would improve our city in innumerable ways," said Bornheimer.

The speed camera pilot program is set to end in March 2030.