In the face of this decision, which is difficult to accept, the number of fines may be tripled

Sectional radars – which measure the average speed of vehicles on a section of road – may soon disappear from the French road scene. According to the association 40 million driversThese devices would be extremely unprofitable (and very expensive to maintain) for road safety, which might consider replacing them with simpler and more efficient automatic speed cameras.

It’s a decision that angers motorists’ advocates, who see it as a race for profitability at the expense of safety. The Argus Furthermore, it notes that these speed cameras “are real road safety tools insofar as they encourage people to slow down permanently, unlike all other types of speed cameras.”

Very expensive to maintain

The radar department appeared in France in 2012 with the aim of reducing fatal accidents on the roads. These radars, numbering about a hundred (between 97 and 103 depending on the year) out of the country’s 4,500 radars, calculate the average vehicle speed between two points over a variable distance. It is meant to be more accurate and efficient than conventional fixed-speed cameras, which measure instantaneous speed only at a specific location.

However, these radar sections do not seem to fulfill their mission. According to figures reported by the Association for the Defense of Motorists, their number does not exceed 5,000 drivers annually, compared to 14,000 for fixed speed cameras. The radars of these segments therefore flicker 3 times less than the classic automatic radar according to these numbers.

Road safety underscores the cost of maintaining and repairing machines, some of which will need to be changed. Therefore, it will consider replacing it over time with conventional automatic radars – more efficient and less expensive. at the time of their assignment, These radars at a distance cost €165,000 versus €35,000 for a standard radar. As for maintenance, it rose from 9,300 euros annually to 17,761.20 euros in 2022 – much more expensive than a lambda radar.

Unfair decision

This informal decision by Road Safety caused the association to react. 40 million drivers who denounces the race for profitability. “Officially, road safety justifies gradually replacing them with another type of radar with a lower economic cost… But it is actually the profitability of these devices that worries the authorities. “They actually don’t get enough money through fines!” exclaimed President Philippe. Nozier.

Automotive associations remain skeptical about the usefulness and legality of this device. They believe this is a disproportionate and unfair means of repression – which does not take into account real traffic conditions and violates drivers’ privacy. They therefore call for a global reform of the automated system of control and punishment that favors prevention and education over punishment.

A new system is under consideration

However, road safety does not abandon the idea of ​​measuring the average speed along a stretch of road. According to the magazine More automaticShe will work on a new monitoring system, which is less expensive but should not see the light of day for several years.

This new system relies on recognizing vehicle number plates using cameras installed on the edges of the roads. It would then make it possible to calculate the average vehicle speed over a variable distance, without the need for sensors on the ground or specific boxes. Technically, this solution is not yet ready. In the meantime, there may be alternative solutions such as Velolaser or Parifex Nano.

Read also : How do you detect car radar? 3 unmistakable signs

One thing is for sure: the days of radar sections seem numbered. Our colleagues from L’Argus said emphatically: “Yes, half of the department’s radar fleet is in the process of disappearing. Yes, the other half will be maintained as long as it is in working order.” Other priorities will be road safety, in particular the proliferation of autonomous speed cameras. That will be the real goose that lays the golden egg.