France is set to roll out a network of more discreet speed radars capable of detecting multiple violations as part of broader efforts to curb road accidents and tighten traffic enforcement on the nation’s roads.
France is introducing a new generation of speed radars designed to be better concealed while also being capable of detecting multiple traffic violations at once. According to Connexion France, these devices, known as équipement de terrain urbain (ETU), are smaller than traditional speed cameras and can be installed on existing urban infrastructure such as lampposts. Unlike the current cameras used on many French roads, they do not have visible flashes, making them less noticeable to drivers.
The primary purpose of these radars is to improve road safety, particularly in high-risk areas, by encouraging compliance with traffic regulations. Connexion France reports that these cameras can concurrently detect speeding and red-light violations, but future upgrades could expand their capabilities to identify offences such as illegal parking, failure to wear seat belts, and mobile phone use while driving.
This development follows the recent news that, beginning in spring 2025, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region will roll out unmarked speed camera cars to monitor secondary roads. A total of 126 unmarked vehicles will be deployed across southern France, primarily targeting speeders on roads with limits of 80 to 90 km/h.
See more: Unmarked speed camera cars to patrol PACA roads from Spring 2025
Trials of the new speed camera system began in cities including Toulouse, Metz and the Territoire de Belfort department, with successful results leading to further installations in Montbéliard, Marseille, Montpellier and Lyon. Drivers caught speeding in urban areas face a €68 fine and a one-point deduction from their driving licence, while running a red light results in a €135 fine and the loss of four points.
France currently has around 4,160 fixed speed cameras nationwide. According to the Institute for European Traffic Law (IETL), the government has allocated €46.3 million in the 2025 budget for maintaining and upgrading domestic speed enforcement measures. This includes integrating artificial intelligence to improve detection accuracy.
This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to reduce road fatalities. According to ReportLinker, a market research platform that compiles and analyses global data from various industry reports and government sources, 3,190 people lost their lives on French roads in 2024. There were 3,167 fatalities in 2023.
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