Why are drivers in France increasingly getting speeding fines without being ‘flashed’?

A speed camera ‘flash’ is an unwelcome sign for any driver that they have been caught speeding…but increasing numbers in France are reporting that they have received a fine without having been ‘flashed’.

This is probably due to an increase in a new type of speed camera that is much more discreet when capturing speeding offences.

New ‘turret’ cameras

Specifically, the Mesta Fusion 2 speed cameras (also known as ‘tourelle (turret)’ cameras) have been in increasing use since April 2019. They now account for a quarter of speed cameras on the roads, and are eventually expected to make up around 75% of the national speed camera fleet, reports Le Figaro.

Around 400 of these cameras were first deployed after the ‘gilets jaunes’ crisis during which many traditional speed cameras were vandalised by protesters. Because the ‘turret’ cameras are positioned high up, they are more difficult to vandalise. 

Read more: New ‘more discreet’ speed radars to be installed on French roads

And - of particular interest to drivers who do not remember being caught - they have an invisible infrared flash, in contrast to a traditional flash camera.

In fact, these cameras are also equipped with a radar antenna, a video module, a high-resolution video surveillance camera, multifunctional sensors, remote sensing that measures the distance between the sensor and a target, making it possible to measure speed, and an infrared flash.

This means they can detect speeding offences with a greater degree of accuracy, without emitting a flash or any outwards signs of having caught a driver.

The infrared technology allows for clear shots, even in the dark, and the invisible nature of the camera means that drivers will not see others getting ‘flashed’ in advance and are therefore much less likely to slow down ahead of a camera.

Read also: Can apps such as Waze show location of speed cameras on French roads?
Read more: French speed cameras set to detect more types of offences 
Read also: Does France use ‘AI’ speed radars? What does this mean for drivers?

Camera locations

Drivers can find out exactly where these new and other types of speed cameras are located by visiting the official Sécurité Routiere radars website (see screenshot below).

You can choose to search by type of camera (fixed, red light, etc) and zoom in closely to your area to see where they are located.

Since July 2018, this site has shown where speed cameras are, and the number in use in each region of the country. 

Read more: Speed cameras in France: how do they compare in number to the US and the UK? 

Speed cameras are usually installed in areas according to certain criteria, such as:

• Areas where accidents occur mainly due to excessive speed 

• On roads with heavy HGV traffic

• At regular intervals on long, straight sections of road