Speed cameras to watch out for in South Africa

There are three common types of speed traps in South Africa — fixed cameras, portable radar scanners, and average-speed-over-distance (ASOD) systems.

Speed traps deter motorists from exceeding legal speed limits and contribute greatly to the traffic fine revenue collected by provincial governments and local municipalities.

As of January 2024, South African motorists owed over R3 billion in outstanding traffic fines, most of which were for speeding violations.

The first and most basic types of speed traps are fixed cameras installed in specific locations in urban areas and on national roads.

These traps typically use either piezoelectric strips or radar technology to detect infringements.

With the first system, strips are installed across the road surface and can convert mechanical or thermal inputs into electrical signals to determine the car’s speed.

The camera in the trap is activated if excessive speed is recorded to take a picture of the offending vehicle.

The alternative radar-based system bounces radio waves off a passing vehicle. It measures the change in frequency as it travels over a certain distance, allowing it to calculate the car’s velocity.

Fixed traps can be deployed anywhere that conforms with the Technical Committee for Standards and Procedures guidelines.

Motorists also do not need to be warned about speed traps in the vicinity of a fixed camera.

However, for a fine issued based on detection by a fixed camera, the following details must be provided:

• Date of offence
• Time of offence
• Location code
• Speed measured
• No obstructions apparent
• Where sensor lines are installed, a view of the whole width of the traffic lane covered by the lines
• At least two photographs indicating the position of the vehicle of the offender, with a clear image of the number plate

Should no photos be provided with the fine, the alleged offender or licensed owner of the vehicle can request a relevant photo free of charge.

Portable scanners

One of the most widely-used portable models is the X1-A scanner provided by Syntell, the speed camera service provider for the metros of Johannesburg and Tshwane.

This type of camera also uses radar technology but can scan up to five lanes of traffic and 32 vehicles simultaneously, capturing offenders in less than 0.5 seconds.

There are strict rules for speed fines issued based on detection through portable cameras, including that the traffic official operating the cameras must have passed a course on speed measurement.

In cases where a portable scanner is used to monitor traffic light violations, the official must also have been trained in traffic light monitoring.

The National Road Traffic Act stipulates that motorists can request copies of certificates for this training to ensure the official is qualified. If they are unable to provide the certificate, a fine could be unenforceable.

The cameras themselves must also be calibrated every 12 months by an accredited laboratory, which will issue a calibration certificate.

It is important to note that fixed and mobile speed traps can only start recording speeds over 300 metres away from a sign showing a speed limit change.

In addition, the reading cannot be taken further than 500 metres from signage.

The cameras must also have a clear and uninterrupted view of the vehicle for the duration of the measurement, so cars overtaking the offending vehicle at specific points in the measurement could render the fine invalid.

Average-speed-over-distance

ASOD systems use two cameras installed at a predetermined distance from one another on any length of road. They are typically installed on poles suspended above the road.

A car’s number plate is scanned as it enters and exits a zone between two cameras.

The system calculates how fast the car travelled in that zone based on when it passed under each camera.

ASOD makes it difficult for motorists familiar with the locations of fixed speed traps to avoid fines.

A motorist who exceeded the speed limit in the zone would have to slow down below the speed limit for some time to bring down their average speed.

ASOD systems are currently used over several sections of the N1 in the Western Cape and Limpopo and the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban.

Gauteng’s e-tolled highways could also soon be subjected to ASOD monitoring.

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) published a tender in July 2022 for a service provider to take over the system and possibly implement ASOD enforcement.

According to Sanral, the system recorded around 12.6 million infringements in average speed data in the roughly two years before the tender was published.

While the e-tolls are no longer connected to the e-tag billing system, the cameras and gantries remain fully functional.