Malibu speed camera rollout still stalled over sign problems Play

It's been more than one month since the new Malibu speed cameras were delayed. The rollout was delayed due to legal problems, and there's still no estimate as to when the cameras will be turned on to warn drivers, write tickets and slow down traffic.

The problem: Malibu and Caltrans have frankly made a mess of things with the speed limits in the eastern part of the city — inconsistent speed limits, illegal speed limit signs, and unrealistic speed limits. State law says speed limits must be posted clearly using state-approved signs, and they must reflect the average speed of at least 85 percent of drivers. The state and the city have failed on all three of those requirements.

Sheriff's deputies are out right now doing a new speed survey, but it might show that even the old 45 mile-an-hour speed limit is not legal. Officially the city has delayed its warning period for its upcoming speed camera program from late September into November, but the official speed survey is not expected to conclude until next month, and then both Caltrans and the city have to formally set the speed limits.

Right now it's a guessing game for drivers as to which speed limit is in effect where. Those flashing electronic highway signs telling you the speed limit is 25 are not enforceable under state law either — the signs need to be the ones you're familiar with under the universal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

The additional time for the radar camera testing allows them to be installed and also allows the city and state to get their act together. Some of the cameras are currently operational in a testing and data gathering phase.

The citywide consensus about the need for electronic speed cameras may be wavering in the face of the city and Caltrans' track record in rolling them out so far.