June 13, 2024
The speed camera and red light camera capitals of the world
Traffic enforcement cameras, such as speed cameras and cameras that detect drivers running a red light, are useful tools that can detect dangerous driving or traffic offenses. Many people, especially while driving in an unfamiliar location, will have been surprised and annoyed to find themselves caught on camera for an innocent mistake - and maybe even receiving an automatic fine. However, a Cochrane review, which gathered together data from studies around the world, found that speed cameras reduce the number of crashes that cause fatal and serious injuries by 11% to 44%. It’s clear that these devices perform a valuable role in keeping all road users safe.
Here at DiscoverCars.com, we wanted to investigate which countries have the highest number of cameras to monitor the roads. We included the number of red light cameras as well as the number of speed cameras, ranking the top 20 countries based on the total figure.
Here at DiscoverCars.com, we wanted to investigate which countries have the highest number of cameras to monitor the roads. We included the number of red light cameras as well as the number of speed cameras, ranking the top 20 countries based on the total figure.
Brazil
Brazil came out top for the highest number of traffic enforcement cameras. 1,170 red light cameras and 14,210 speed cameras add up to create a total of 15,380. (That’s over 1,000 more than the country in second place!)
Brazil has more than 1 million miles of highways, with some of these roads being unpaved. Dirt roads can be characterized by a surface that is either too soft or too rough and gravelly to drive on safely at high speeds, as well as blind curves. The presence of speed cameras helps drivers in both the countryside and the cities to drive safely.
Brazil has more than 1 million miles of highways, with some of these roads being unpaved. Dirt roads can be characterized by a surface that is either too soft or too rough and gravelly to drive on safely at high speeds, as well as blind curves. The presence of speed cameras helps drivers in both the countryside and the cities to drive safely.
Italy
In second place for the highest number of traffic enforcement cameras, Italy has 2,321 red light cameras and 8,104 speed cameras. That’s a total of 10,425 of the safety devices around the country.
Drivers who are caught speeding in Italy will be fined a minimum of $37 (€35). This is the fine for drivers who are up to 10 km/h over the speed limit — any faster, and the fine swiftly rises. You can also accumulate penalty points, and visitors from abroad who acquire 20 or more points in under 2 years can be banned from driving in Italy for a year.
Drivers who are caught speeding in Italy will be fined a minimum of $37 (€35). This is the fine for drivers who are up to 10 km/h over the speed limit — any faster, and the fine swiftly rises. You can also accumulate penalty points, and visitors from abroad who acquire 20 or more points in under 2 years can be banned from driving in Italy for a year.
United States
The United States is next. In the US, there are 3,974 cameras tracking drivers’ behavior at traffic lights, and 4,001 measuring their speed. In total, there are 7,975 traffic enforcement cameras across the country.
Of course, traffic regulations vary on a state-by-state basis in the US — the state with the highest speed limit is Texas, where you can go up to 137 km/h depending on the type of road you’re traveling on. In comparison, Washington, DC has the lowest speed limit, at 89 km/h - this is likely because of the lack of rural freeways.
Of course, traffic regulations vary on a state-by-state basis in the US — the state with the highest speed limit is Texas, where you can go up to 137 km/h depending on the type of road you’re traveling on. In comparison, Washington, DC has the lowest speed limit, at 89 km/h - this is likely because of the lack of rural freeways.
United Kingdom
In fourth place, the United Kingdom has 811 red light cameras and 4,004 speed cameras: together, that’s a total of 4,815.
Speeding is the most common driving offense in the country, and in 2022, convictions for speeding in England and Wales reached an eight-year high of 236,480. The speed limit is much higher for freeways, where the speed limit is 113 km/h — as drivers are able to go so much faster, the penalty is higher for breaking the law on these roads.
Speeding is the most common driving offense in the country, and in 2022, convictions for speeding in England and Wales reached an eight-year high of 236,480. The speed limit is much higher for freeways, where the speed limit is 113 km/h — as drivers are able to go so much faster, the penalty is higher for breaking the law on these roads.
Germany
Next up is Germany. Here, the speed cameras by far outnumber the red light cameras, at 3,869 to 408. All in all, there are 4,277 traffic enforcement cameras on the roads.
Only 30% of Germany’s Autobahns have a speed limit, although on those roads without a speed limit, there is a government recommendation that drivers should not exceed 130 km/h. However, while this might sound relaxed, there are still strict laws around speeding in this country, especially for trucks. Truck drivers who go over the speed limit by 60 km/h or more in countryside areas can be fined as much as $757 (€704).
Only 30% of Germany’s Autobahns have a speed limit, although on those roads without a speed limit, there is a government recommendation that drivers should not exceed 130 km/h. However, while this might sound relaxed, there are still strict laws around speeding in this country, especially for trucks. Truck drivers who go over the speed limit by 60 km/h or more in countryside areas can be fined as much as $757 (€704).
France
France has 720 red light cameras - but a much higher number of devices to monitor speeding, at 2,969. It adds up to a total of 3,689.
French speed limits are variable depending on the weather, unlike some other European countries — when there is rain or fog, the speed limit lowers. As fog can be very dangerous for visibility, the limit is 50 km/h in these conditions. This applies regardless of the type of road, whether it’s a small country lane or a freeway. Carrying a device that shows you where speed cameras are is illegal in France, as it is in several other countries.
French speed limits are variable depending on the weather, unlike some other European countries — when there is rain or fog, the speed limit lowers. As fog can be very dangerous for visibility, the limit is 50 km/h in these conditions. This applies regardless of the type of road, whether it’s a small country lane or a freeway. Carrying a device that shows you where speed cameras are is illegal in France, as it is in several other countries.
United Arab Emirates
The country with the next highest number of traffic enforcement cameras is the United Arab Emirates. Here, there are 482 cameras to detect drivers running red lights and 2,109 speed cameras, adding up to a total of 2,591.
This country is notable for having some of the highest speed limits in the world. On the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain highway and the Sheikh Khalifa highway, you can drive at 160 km/h. However, speed limits are much lower in residential areas - usually between 40 and 60 km/h. Hazards on rural roads that cause drivers to feel wary of going too fast include camels and goats.
This country is notable for having some of the highest speed limits in the world. On the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain highway and the Sheikh Khalifa highway, you can drive at 160 km/h. However, speed limits are much lower in residential areas - usually between 40 and 60 km/h. Hazards on rural roads that cause drivers to feel wary of going too fast include camels and goats.
Sweden
Sweden has 2,487 speed cameras — red light cameras are not used in this country. That gives us a total of 2,487 of this type of safety device on the road.
In 2011, the city of Stockholm tested a novel way of encouraging drivers to stick to the legal speed. Drivers who went over the speed limit were issued an automatic fine — but drivers who were at or below the speed limit were entered into a lottery in which they stood a chance to win prize money from the pot supplied by the fines! The temporary scheme resulted in the average speed of cars that passed the speed camera lowering from 32 km/h to 25 km/h.
In 2011, the city of Stockholm tested a novel way of encouraging drivers to stick to the legal speed. Drivers who went over the speed limit were issued an automatic fine — but drivers who were at or below the speed limit were entered into a lottery in which they stood a chance to win prize money from the pot supplied by the fines! The temporary scheme resulted in the average speed of cars that passed the speed camera lowering from 32 km/h to 25 km/h.
Spain
In Spain, there are 377 cameras checking drivers’ traffic light compliance, compared to 1,598 checking their speed - the country has 1,975 traffic enforcement cameras in total.
Spain has introduced an interesting way to reduce speeding — some traffic lights can detect a driver going over the speed limit and respond by turning yellow and then red, without issuing a fine. We can imagine this would help to slow down the traffic on the roads where this has been introduced. Of course, there are also fines in place for speeding motorists. The fines range from $54 ($€50) to $324 (€300) depending on how far over the speed limit a driver is going.
Spain has introduced an interesting way to reduce speeding — some traffic lights can detect a driver going over the speed limit and respond by turning yellow and then red, without issuing a fine. We can imagine this would help to slow down the traffic on the roads where this has been introduced. Of course, there are also fines in place for speeding motorists. The fines range from $54 ($€50) to $324 (€300) depending on how far over the speed limit a driver is going.
Turkey
In tenth place, Turkey has 70 red light cameras and 1427 speed cameras - giving us a total of 1497.
The fine for running a red light in the country is $46 ($43) and the fine for speeding is up to $199 ($185) (the fine for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50%). In 2022, a number of Turkey’s highways increased the speed limit from 120 km/h, some to 130 km/h and some to 140 km/h, the highest speed limit in the country.
The fine for running a red light in the country is $46 ($43) and the fine for speeding is up to $199 ($185) (the fine for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50%). In 2022, a number of Turkey’s highways increased the speed limit from 120 km/h, some to 130 km/h and some to 140 km/h, the highest speed limit in the country.
The rest of the top 20
Austria has a total of 1,422 traffic enforcement cameras on the roads and is followed by Argentina with 1,242 of the devices. The next country is Belgium, which closely follows with 1,231.
Finland has 1,102 traffic cameras, and Canada has 1,053. Drivers in Taiwan will find 1,020 of the devices on the roads. Next in the ranking, Poland has 742 compared to Australia’s 599.
Finally, in our top 20, there are 555 cameras monitoring drivers’ compliance with traffic laws in Morocco, and 525 in Croatia.
You can see that some countries have a much higher number of traffic enforcement cameras. The country with the most cameras, Brazil, has over 25 times as many as the countries that ranked lowest, Australia, Morocco and Croatia. Of course, it’s very likely the discrepancy in many cases comes from differences in size and population in addition to traffic regulations — but some comparatively small countries like the UK are surprisingly high up in the top 20 rankings.
While traffic enforcement cameras might not always be popular among drivers - particularly those who have been snapped going a little faster than is legal — it’s undoubtedly true that this method helps keep reckless driving in check. They make the roads safer for everyone, and they can save lives.
Finland has 1,102 traffic cameras, and Canada has 1,053. Drivers in Taiwan will find 1,020 of the devices on the roads. Next in the ranking, Poland has 742 compared to Australia’s 599.
Finally, in our top 20, there are 555 cameras monitoring drivers’ compliance with traffic laws in Morocco, and 525 in Croatia.
You can see that some countries have a much higher number of traffic enforcement cameras. The country with the most cameras, Brazil, has over 25 times as many as the countries that ranked lowest, Australia, Morocco and Croatia. Of course, it’s very likely the discrepancy in many cases comes from differences in size and population in addition to traffic regulations — but some comparatively small countries like the UK are surprisingly high up in the top 20 rankings.
While traffic enforcement cameras might not always be popular among drivers - particularly those who have been snapped going a little faster than is legal — it’s undoubtedly true that this method helps keep reckless driving in check. They make the roads safer for everyone, and they can save lives.
Methodology
Using statistics from the SCDB, we identified the number of speed cameras and red light cameras in 112 countries. We then combined the figures to create a total. We created a top 20 ranking, according to which countries had the highest total number of traffic enforcement cameras.
All conversions between the US dollars and euros were accurate at the time of writing, according to the current exchange rate.
Sources:
http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:224791/UQ224791_OA.pdf
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-in-europe/speed-limits-in-italy-the-complete-guide/
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/turkey-raises-speed-limits-on-highways-starting-from-july/news
https://speedingeurope.com/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1329453/speed-cameras-finland/
All conversions between the US dollars and euros were accurate at the time of writing, according to the current exchange rate.
Sources:
http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:224791/UQ224791_OA.pdf
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-in-europe/speed-limits-in-italy-the-complete-guide/
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/turkey-raises-speed-limits-on-highways-starting-from-july/news
https://speedingeurope.com/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1329453/speed-cameras-finland/
Top related locations
Here are some of the main cities in the countries that have the most traffic law enforcement cameras, including their main airports, and some other facts about traffic laws in them.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro Airport Galeao) - In Brazil, vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- Rome, Italy (Rome Airport Fiumicino) - Italian traffic law requires drivers to use headlights even during the day on highways and rural roads.
- Paris, France (Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport) - In France, priority to the right is a fundamental rule, unless otherwise signed.
- Berlin, Germany (Berlin Airport) - Germany has strict laws against drinking and driving, with severe penalties.
- London, United Kingdom (London Heathrow Airport) - UK drivers drive on the left side of the road, and speed limits are strictly enforced via cameras.
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Dubai International Airport) - In the UAE, seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
- Houston, Texas (Houston Geroge Bush Airport) - Texas laws prohibit texting while driving.
- Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles Airport) - California has strict emissions laws affecting vehicle registration.
- Miami, Florida (Miami Airport) - Florida law requires headlights to be used in rain.
- Denver, Colorado (Denver Airport) - Colorado has specific laws requiring winter tires or chains during snow.
- Barcelona, Spain (Barcelona Airport) - In Spain, vehicles must be equipped with a full set of spare bulbs and the tools to change them.
- Istanbul, Turkey (Istanbul Airport) - Turkey requires drivers to carry a reflective triangle and a first aid kit.
- Vienna, Austria (Vienna Airport) - Austrian law mandates that drivers must have a high visibility vest within reach in the car.
- Toronto, Canada (Toronto Airport) - In Canada, it's illegal to smoke in a car in many provinces if children are present.
- Warsaw, Poland (Warsaw Airport) - Polish law requires the use of headlights day and night throughout the year.
- Sydney, Australia (Sydney Airport) - Australia heavily enforces speed limits, with multiple speeding cameras.
- Marrakech, Morocco (Marrakech Airport) - In Morocco, it is mandatory for all drivers to carry a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle.
- Zagreb, Croatia (Zagreb Airport) - Croatian traffic laws include mandatory daytime running lights throughout the year.
- Calgary, Canada (Calgary Airport) - In Canada, it's illegal to drive with a handheld device.
- Valencia, Spain (Valencia Airport) - Spanish law used to require that all drivers have spare glasses if they use prescription lenses for driving.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
