The era of speed cameras is coming to an end.

Over the past seven years, one in four stationary speed cameras has fallen out of service. The future of traffic speed enforcement may lie in average speed measurement and self-monitoring patrol cars, but this requires significant investments and crucial political decisions.

The heyday of stationary speed cameras was in 2018, when 48 fixed-location camera eyes monitored careless drivers. Currently, the Transport Administration has only 34 such cameras remaining. The agency's head, Priit Sauk, explained that the existing system will be maintained as long as the equipment passes calibration and companies can provide the necessary maintenance. This period could last from three to seven years. However, the Transport Administration does not plan to acquire new stationary cameras.

"All drivers know very precisely where our current fixed cameras are located, which is why it is no longer a very effective surveillance method," Sauk noted. He added that the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has promised to develop more modern technology.

Since 2019, the police have been using eight mobile speed cameras, which catch the majority of speeders in Estonia. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirle Loigo pointed out that last year, all Estonian speed cameras together recorded 321,000 traffic violations, of which over two hundred thousand were detected by just eight mobile cameras.

However, Loigo noted that the police do not plan to purchase more similar mobile systems, as a new solution – the self-monitoring patrol car – is under development. The idea of a device attached to a car that records traffic violations dates back seven years. Now, the police are setting a target of around 2027 for the completion of a new warning procedure information system.

"Our current information system is outdated, its performance has reached its maximum, and it is also semi-automatic," Loigo explained. "We hope to have the new information system ready within two to three years, which should give a greater green light to automated surveillance."

Patrol cars would also be able to identify drivers without seatbelts and those using phones

According to Loigo, the number of devices that can be purchased for police cars depends on the budget. Initially, the hope is to acquire a couple of devices for each prefecture. The police have high expectations for the new solution, which are not limited to just measuring speed.

"Seatbelts, distractions, traffic lights, dangerous maneuvers," Loigo listed potential violations that could be recorded by machines.

This means that a police officer may no longer need to stop a driver who passes by with a phone in hand.

"This evidence in image format will be sent to a database, where a traffic ticket will be automatically generated. The police's task will be to respond to violations that require immediate intervention," Loigo explained.

However, this digital leap requires more than just developing the information system and purchasing equipment. "This requires legislative changes," Loigo emphasized. "We are already working on these processes to ensure that the necessary legislative changes are in place by that time."

Average speed cameras still await political will

Past experience shows that rapid development can be hindered by legislative delays. Specialists from the Transport Administration have been advocating for years for the adoption of a system that calculates the average speed of vehicles in Estonia. Priit Sauk noted that, for example, Lithuania already has 120 such cameras, and another 40 are planned for installation this year.

Average speed cameras were also included in the recently expired traffic safety program, but like the penalty point system and several other evidence-based measures, the idea remained on paper.

"The social consensus and political will to move forward too aggressively with this issue have not yet emerged. We are waiting for our moment and time," Sauk said.

The near future of average speed measurement largely depends on the new coalition's desire. When the previous Minister of Infrastructure, Vladimir Svet, participated in the traffic commission in February, it was decided that he would submit both the penalty point system and the average speed regulation to the government for a decision. However, the government collapsed before Svet could do so.

Analysis showed that average speed measurement is feasible

Recently, a feasibility analysis of automated surveillance, commissioned by the Transport Administration and prepared by the Road Administration's Technology Centre, was completed. Among other things, it describes how the new system could work.

First, the camera takes a picture of the vehicle. Then, the system queries the traffic registry and checks, based on the license plate, whether the vehicle has valid motor insurance. For trucks, the payment of road tolls is also checked. Notably, data on wanted vehicles would be immediately forwarded to the police. If the vehicle was also in the view of the previous camera on the same road segment, the system calculates the average speed. Speeders, uninsured drivers, and those who have not paid road tolls will be penalized. The data of other vehicles is essentially deleted immediately.

The authors of the analysis noted that the change requires a thorough legislative amendment. Photographing every passing vehicle significantly restricts drivers' rights, and according to the analysis, the system should only be used on road sections where it would significantly increase safety.

"The analysis by our Lithuanian colleagues shows that on sections where average speed cameras are installed, serious injury accidents have decreased by over 50 percent," Sauk pointed out.

However, the head of the Transport Administration knows several lawyers who believe that average speed cameras do not fit into the Estonian legal framework. Therefore, he believes that the ministries and politicians should take the matter forward.

"Political will must be achieved, and a ministry must be appointed to finalize this issue. Generally, surveillance activities should be closer to the Ministry of the Interior. Then we can expect these debates and agreements," Sauk said.

Automated surveillance is between two ministries

A separate question is which ministry or agency will be responsible for automated traffic surveillance. Priit Sauk suggested that if legislation and political decisions reach that point, the Transport Administration could build the necessary infrastructure for average speed cameras.

"But the devices themselves and their maintenance and relocation should be the responsibility of our colleagues at the PPA," he added.

Sirle Loigo also acknowledged that average speed cameras would be very helpful, but the police are not currently considering investing in them.

"In this regard, the dispute in the country remains unresolved. Today, the state has decided that stationary cameras are installed by the road owner, whether it is the local municipality or, on state roads, the Transport Administration," Loigo explained.

Avaldatud 15/03/2025