Map: The departments in France with highest number of ‘autonomous’ speed cameras
The cameras can be moved, making it difficult to pinpoint their precise locations
The autonomous speed cameras can operate without police supervision
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The installation of ‘autonomous’ speed cameras is rising in France, with around 400 already in operation - but their number varies significantly depending on area.
The government is planning to have 550 of the ‘autonomes’ cameras - also known as ‘radars chantier’ - in place by the end of this year. The first were installed in 2017.
These speed cameras are unique in that they can be set up to run autonomously without the presence of a police officer (unlike mobile radar speed units), as they are battery powered.
The cameras can be moved, making it difficult to pinpoint their exact location. Yet, not all are moved regularly, reports specialist website AutoPlus, which states that 183 of the cameras have not moved since June 2024.
Some areas now have more than others.
Seine-et-Marne: 18
Marne: 16
Meurthe-et-Moselle: 14
Var, Gard, Gironde: More than 12 each
Pas-de-Calais, Nord, Aisne, Oise, and Val-d'Oise: Between 6 to 10
In contrast, Corsica, Alpes-Maritimes, Haute-Marne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Tarn-et-Garonne, Creuse, Charentes, Val-de-Marne, Hauts-de-Seine nor Vendée have any (yet).
Autonomous speed cameras are mainly used on sections of road that have been identified as particularly susceptible to speeding or accidents, and are used to help step up checks, states the Sécurité Routière.
Their ability to be moved makes them adaptable to different types of roads, and be used to conduct multiple checks in different parts of the road.
It comes as France looks to maintain a reduction in road deaths – figures so far in 2025 have seen fatalities at a record low.
Read more: Graph: See how French road fatality figures compare to previous years
Read also: French speed cameras set to detect more types of offences
Read more: Driving in France: what are the acceptable ‘error’ margins of speed cameras?
At the same time, fines from speeding drivers bring in significant revenue for the government.
You can find an official map of where radars of all types are located on French roads here.
