France has a reputation for being rather strict when it comes to speeding. In 2018, the country introduced privately conducted speed cameras not by law enforcement, but by contractors. Their use has since spread, and in 2021 these anonymous cars caught up with more than half a million speeding motorists in France.
Catching so many speeders requires a lot After motorists to watch. According The connection6.65 million vehicles were subjected to speed checks, resulting in over 500,000 fines totaling €76 million for 2021. This is a considerable figure, but it only represents 10% of the total fines issued for high-speed driving offenses in the country last year.
The actual cars are still owned by the government, but the drivers are employed by a private company and as such they don’t stop people. Cameras and infrared technology are used to monitor traffic as the driver navigates a predetermined route. The system does all the work, “flashing” a speeding car and recording the information for the fine. There is no indication when vehicles are flashed or quoted, and no information is given to the driver of the camera car. In this case, the person behind the wheel is just driving an anonymous, unmarked radar.
Private companies entering the realm of law enforcement have long been a controversial topic, especially when money is involved. In this case, The connection explains that drivers and companies are not paid based on quotes issued, but on miles driven and that there is a specific limit. Each driver has a route to follow and they are required to maintain a normal speed during their shift. In theory, this discourages other motorists from accelerating by slowing down. Drivers of camera cars can be heavily fined if caught deliberately speeding up or slowing down to play futz with other motorists.
Camera cars are also limited to a maximum fine of €194,000 per car in one year. However, 450 are currently in use across the country, meaning the French government allows up to €87.3 million in annual speeding fines to be generated by private companies.
France has a reputation for being rather strict when it comes to speeding. In 2018, the country introduced privately conducted speed cameras not by law enforcement, but by contractors. Their use has since spread, and in 2021 these anonymous cars caught up with more than half a million speeding motorists in France.
Catching so many speeders requires a lot After motorists to watch. According The connection6.65 million vehicles were subjected to speed checks, resulting in over 500,000 fines totaling €76 million for 2021. This is a considerable figure, but it only represents 10% of the total fines issued for high-speed driving offenses in the country last year.
The actual cars are still owned by the government, but the drivers are employed by a private company and as such they don’t stop people. Cameras and infrared technology are used to monitor traffic as the driver navigates a predetermined route. The system does all the work, “flashing” a speeding car and recording the information for the fine. There is no indication when vehicles are flashed or quoted, and no information is given to the driver of the camera car. In this case, the person behind the wheel is just driving an anonymous, unmarked radar.
Private companies entering the realm of law enforcement have long been a controversial topic, especially when money is involved. In this case, The connection explains that drivers and companies are not paid based on quotes issued, but on miles driven and that there is a specific limit. Each driver has a route to follow and they are required to maintain a normal speed during their shift. In theory, this discourages other motorists from accelerating by slowing down. Drivers of camera cars can be heavily fined if caught deliberately speeding up or slowing down to play futz with other motorists.
Camera cars are also limited to a maximum fine of €194,000 per car in one year. However, 450 are currently in use across the country, meaning the French government allows up to €87.3 million in annual speeding fines to be generated by private companies.