What are the different types of speed cameras found in France?

Automatic enforcement (CA) deals with traffic offences detected by automatic radars, such as speeding or failing to obey red lights.

How does it work?

An automatic control covers the entire chain of processing speeding and red-light running offences detected by fixed or mobile speed cameras.

Automatic enforcement comprises the following stages:

1. Detection and recording: an automatic radar detects and records the offence;
2. Data transmission: information is sent automatically to the National Processing Center (CNT);
3. Owner identification: a sworn officer identifies the vehicle owner and confirms the offence;
4. Editing and dispatch: the ticket is generated and sent to the offender.

These steps ensure that traffic offences are processed quickly and efficiently, thanks to the automated system.

In 2023, there are almost 10 different types of speed camera: fixed, mobile, discriminating, section, turret and more. These radars are used to penalize all kinds of offenses. Once you've been flashed, you'll receive a fine and possibly the number of points you've lost. According to Goodassur, on average, you'll receive the fine within 5 to 10 days if the offence was punished by a fixed radar. Between 15 days and a month if it was caught by a mobile radar or by the police.

1. Classic” fixed speed cameras

By December 31, 2022, 600 fixed speed cameras had been installed. This was the first speed camera in France to be deployed with the new road safety policy and the arrival of automatic speed cameras.

Fixed speed cameras are installed on roadsides, in high-risk accident areas or regularly along major trunk roads. Their aim is to reduce the average speed of vehicles.

The margin of a fixed radar is 5 km/h on roads limited to 80 or 90 km/h, and 5% on those limited to 110 or 130 km/h. Tickets indicate three speeds:

• the maximum authorized speed ;
• the speed measured by the radar ;
• the speed retained after the technical margin.
   

How far away can a fixed speed camera flash? Newer fixed radars measure the speed of vehicles 50 meters upstream and 50 meters downstream of their position. Older radars cover only 40 meters. Today, fewer than 100 old radars are still in service in France.

2. Section radar

Section radar, also known as average speed radar, was introduced in 2012. By December 31, 2022, 50 section radars were in place, according to the latest figures from the French road safety authority, Sécurité Routière.

Here's how section radar works: section radar flashes and calculates the average speed of a vehicle between two points. Infrared cameras record the vehicle's license plate number and the time it passed the two points to determine the speed. If the speed exceeds the authorized limit, the violation is recorded at the exit point.

As with fixed radar, a technical margin of 5 km/h or 5% is applied depending on the speed recorded.

3. Red light cameras

Red light cameras are installed at traffic lights, mainly at intersections. They do not measure speed, but check whether a vehicle crosses the line of effect (LEF) at a red light and continues on its way. When the red light camera flashes, two photos are taken.

A technical margin applies: if the vehicle crosses the LEF without going through the light, only one photo is taken and no infringement is recorded. Remember that for red-light radar, the flash is visible.

If your vehicle has a trailer, the radar checks the towing vehicle. If the towing vehicle is green, but the trailer is red, you're not at fault.

4. Discriminating radar

Discriminating radar is a type of fixed radar that identifies offending vehicles and indicates their lane. It also distinguishes between conventional vehicles and HGVs, which have different speed limits.

By 2023, 800 discriminating radars had been installed in accident-prone areas and on stretches of road frequented by heavy goods vehicles. They apply the same technical margin as fixed radar.

5. Mobile speed cameras

Mobile speed cameras are installed in unmarked vehicles or placed on the road. Unlike fixed speed cameras, they are not signalled in advance.

Introduced in 2004, they have been replaced since 2013 by a more discreet type of mobile radar. What's more, if you are flashed by a mobile radar, you'll know it because the flash is visible. In 2023, the margin of error of a mobile radar was 10 km/h for speeds up to 110 km/h, or 10% above that.

6. On-board mobile radar

Since March 2013, mobile speed cameras have been installed in unmarked vehicles. They measure the speed of moving vehicles and automatically detect speeding.

These radars use a discreet infrared camera to flash vehicles exceeding the 10 km/h limit. Speeds begin at 61km/h in built-up areas, 102km/h on national or departmental roads, 124km/h on expressways and 146km/h on freeways.

By 2023, 500 on-board and off-board mobile radars will have been deployed in France.

7. Level-crossing radar

The level-crossing radar checks compliance with flashing red lights at level crossings. It operates in the same way as the red light radar.

To enable drivers to stop, there is a three-second delay in built-up areas and a five-second delay outside built-up areas. After this delay, the vehicle crosses the LEF and is flashed twice. A second flashing light confirms the infringement.

These types of radars are not signalled, as the flashing lights are used for signalling purposes. As of December 31, 2022, 50 level-crossing radars had been installed, a number that is steadily declining.

8. Autonomous radar

Autonomous radar, also known as site radar, is a semi-fixed radar installed in temporary danger zones such as construction sites. It was tested in 2012 and deployed in 2015.

Battery-powered, this flexible type of radar can be up and running in around thirty minutes. By 2023, some 600 autonomous radars will be in place, protecting motorists and highway workers.

9. Turret speed cameras

Since 2019, turret radars have been gradually replacing the old fixed radars, particularly those at red lights and level crossings. Installed in 4-meter-high cabins, they feature a 36-million-pixel video camera and a high-performance digital camera.

Turret radars (Méta Fusion models) can control a large number of vehicles on several lanes and in both directions up to 200 meters away. By the end of 2023, France will have 1,000 turret radars.

10. Speed cameras

Urban radars are miniature versions of turret radars. They monitor speeding in several lanes and compliance with traffic lights. Easy to move, they use a decoy strategy with numerous empty cabins.

By the end of 2023, 700 cabins were planned in France, including 200 active multifunction urban radars.

Photos of the various radars can easily be found on the Internet.

If you are flashed by a speed camera, the fines and penalties depend on your speed and where the offence was committed. (information as of 12/31/2024, subject to change)

Keep the following information in mind:

●Speed limit: the penalty varies depending on whether the speed limit is above or below 50 km/h ;
●Recidivism: penalties are more severe in the event of a repeat offence;
●License suspension: suspension may be accompanied by confiscation or immobilization of the vehicle, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
Respect speed limits and traffic lights to avoid these penalties and ensure your safety and that of other road users.

Respecting speed limits

Vigilance is essential when driving. Don't forget that you're sharing the road with other motorists, and adapt to them. Respect safety distances to keep your speed below the speed limit.
Regulatory safety distances in dry weather:

● 50 km/h : 28 meters
● 90 km/h : 50 meters
● 110 km/h : 62 meters
● 130 km/h : 73 meters

Adapting speed to weather conditions

Don't just consider other vehicles when driving. Always adapt your speed to road conditions. Night, rain, ice and fog are all factors to be taken into account.
These conditions can affect your control of the vehicle and your perception of speed. With reduced visibility, you may miss a sign or road marking. On wet or icy roads, you risk losing control of your vehicle. In these situations, reduce your speed and increase your safety distance.

Only drive if you feel up to it

You can sometimes overestimate yourself and ignore your fatigue, stress or alcohol level. Your reflexes and field of vision diminish, and your attention wanders. These factors can cause you to exceed speed limits.

If you're tired, stressed or have been drinking, take a cab, ask a friend for a lift or take a nap before driving. It could save you from getting a ticket!

Remember: the one who's driving is the one who's not drinking! The Highway Code is clear:
● 0.2 g/l in the blood (or 0.1 mg/l of exhaled air): driving is prohibited for novice drivers and public transport drivers.
● 0.5 g/l in the blood (or 0.25 mg/l of exhaled air): driving is prohibited for all other drivers.

Respect these limits to ensure your safety and that of others on the road.
 

Do turret speed cameras flash?
Turret radar does not flash, unlike other types of traditional radar. It uses infrared technology that is invisible to the naked eye. So drivers don't realize they're being flashed when they commit an offence.

How far does a turret radar flash?
Turret radar and its flash are capable of detecting a vehicle from a distance of 100 meters.

Can a radar flash by mistake?
If you're exceeding the speed limit, a radar without a fault can flash you. However, there is a margin of error. This is known as the radar tolerance, which is 5 km/h below 100 km/h and 5% above 100 km/h.

Do construction site speed cameras flash?
The answer is yes, a construction site radar flashes.