More French communes bring in ‘intelligent’ traffic lights to fight speeding

Increasing numbers of cities and towns in France are installing so-called ‘intelligent’ traffic lights in a bid to combat speeding and force drivers to slow down.

How do the smart traffic lights work?

The traffic lights, also known as ‘smart’ and ‘reward’ traffic lights, are equipped with cameras and a sensor. They can calculate an approaching driver’s speed in real time, and only turn green if the vehicle is going at the correct speed.

If the driver is speeding, or if there is no car on the road, the light remains red. This forces a speeding driver to slow down - and ideally, stop - on the approach, in order to get the green light to move forward.

Are the lights common? 

They are becoming more common across the country. 

As of 2023, around 3,000 communes in France had implemented one of these lights, states TF1, with each costing between €20,000 and €40,000 to install. Their thresholds (the speed at which they turn green) can be set at different speeds depending on the road, such as 30 km/h or 50 km/h.

The village of Vieux Mesnil (Nord) - which sees 7,500 vehicles pass through every day - was one of the first communes to test the system. It installed the lights at the entrance and exit of the village in 2020.

Authorities say that the lights have reduced the number of people speeding at higher than 50 km/h by 10%. Some people still run the red light, however.

‘Not a miracle cure’

"It's not a miracle cure, we are well aware of that,” said Alain Lienard, first deputy for finance and urban planning in Vieux Mesnil, to TF1. “But we still wanted to provide a solution for our residents. It would be better if it was backed up by police checks.”

“I prefer it to speed bumps,” said one resident. “Speed bumps shake the car and it's not very pleasant.”

Similarly, a commune in the Nord department, Templeuve-en-Pévèle, has become one of the latest to install these smart traffic lights; on a straight road with a 30 km/h speed limit.

First deputy mayor, Joëlle Dupriez-Delattre, said that the lights were installed because local residents were worrying about speed, and “felt that people were driving too fast”, she told BFMTV. “It's prevention, not repression,” she said.

Some residents now say the light is a good idea, but others say that some motorists simply ignore it, and do not stop before driving on. “There are a few techniques,” one driver said. “If you slow down to 30 km/h before the traffic light, then you can go again; it turns green straight away.”

One commune - Brive, in Corrèze (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) - which installed several of the lights to control speeding, especially on a road that approaches the village on a downwards slope, said that it cost €80,000 to install two of the devices.

Read also: How to contest a driving or speeding fine in France

Smart light regulations

These traffic lights can only be installed on certain roads in France, including in: 

• Built-up areas (or on the approach to them)

• Roads without intersections, pedestrian crossings or additional signage within 30 metres of the traffic light.

In France, running a red light is a category 4 offence, punishable by a fine of €135 and the removal of four points from the driver's licence.

Read more: Drivers in France may no longer lose licence points for minor speeding
Read also: Driver wins French speeding appeal due to radar day and time error 

Speed controls

The increase in smart traffic lights is just one way that authorities have sought to combat speeding drivers in recent years, including the introduction of more private speed camera cars on the roads.

Read also: Unmarked radar cars will be in more French regions soon 
Read also: 12 questions and answers about private speed radar cars in France 

These cars - which are designed to look like common vehicles - patrol roads along pre-set routes. They are typically used on accident or speed-prone roads, and can be used on motorways, national roads, departmental and commune roads.