New speed cameras being installed along major coastal road in Nice

New speed cameras are being installed along a major road in Nice to combat ‘intolerable’ speeding, the city’s mayor has announced. 

A speed camera was installed along the famous Promenade des Anglais on May 27, said mayor Christian Estrosi. 

“After a long period of lobbying and tireless efforts with the Prefecture and the Ministry of the Interior, I am delighted to have finally obtained the installation of [this] new speed camera,” said the mayor on Tuesday (quoted in Le Figaro).

Three further cameras are set to be installed along the busy road. 

The locations of the cameras will be frequently switched between a number of pre-selected locations along the road, to keep drivers from simply slowing down at fixed points.

A photo of the camera currently installed can be seen below.

Up to 175,000 vehicles use the road each day, and since 2020 accidents there have resulted in 19 deaths and around 50 serious injuries. 

Recent cases have seen a young cyclist die after being hit by a 20-year old driver significantly over the alcohol limit, and a driver caught speeding at 119 km/h, when the typical limit for the road is 50 km/h. 

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Local officials want newer cameras

Despite the positive tone surrounding the announcement, local officials would like to see the equipment upgraded.

The current mobile cameras are a temporary measure whilst awaiting authorisation for more modern cameras.

The current and upcoming cameras to be installed “are temporary and unsightly. We want them to be replaced as soon as possible by more discreet, permanent equipment,” said deputy mayor Anthony Borré on social media. 

“But in the face of dangerous behaviour, the most urgent thing is to tackle the problem of reckless drivers first and foremost," he added. 

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