How many speed cameras in France in 2026?
The fleet in 2026 reaches around 4,700 automatic cameras, plus 450 in-car units (unmarked cars), 300 new-generation mobile cameras and about 800 roadwork cameras. Towers (introduced in 2020) alone account for over 1,200 devices, progressively replacing traditional fixed cameras.
Main camera families
Traditional fixed cameras
The historic model: grey roadside cabinet with a warning sign. Measures instant speed at one point. Gradually being replaced by towers.
Tower cameras
Mounted on 4-metre red or grey masts. Their specificity: they cover 8 lanes at once, flash in both directions and can check speed, following distance and signage (red light, level crossing). Impossible to know from a car whether they are active (rotating system).
Average-speed cameras
Measure average speed between two points often kilometres apart (tunnels, roadworks). Very common on the A86 Duplex and A14 in Île-de-France, Alpine motorways, etc. You cannot "brake just before": the reading covers the whole section.
New-generation mobile cameras (ETM)
Unmarked cars (Peugeot 308, Renault Megane, sometimes 508…) that flash while moving. Undetectable by warners. Active across the whole country, denser around major conurbations.
Red-light cameras
Set at intersections, they flash any vehicle crossing the stop line after the light turns red. Penalty: €135 and 4 points off.
Educational cameras
Do not fine: they simply display speed to raise awareness. Often at town entrances. Useful to check your speedometer calibration.
Tolerance margin
Technical margin applied: 5 km/h below 100 km/h and 5% above. A camera reading 135 km/h on a 130 km/h road will not flash you (135 - 5% = 128 km/h, below threshold). Do not rely on this margin: it compensates measurement error, not a "right to speed".
2026 novelties
Urban noise cameras
Rolled out since 2024 in Paris and a few major cities (Nice, Lyon, Toulouse): they do not measure speed but noise. Above 85 dB (motorcycle or tuned car), €135 automatic fine.
AI and following distance
Tower cameras are being equipped with AI able to detect following-distance breaches (€135 fine + 3 points). Already deployed on the A7 and A10.
Apps and warners: legal?
Since 2011, "radar detectors" are illegal (€1,500 fine + confiscation). However, "driver-assist apps" showing danger zones (Waze, Coyote, Mappy) are legal, as long as they do not show the exact location of a mobile camera. To stay compliant, use the "danger zone" mode in Waze.
Check your points balance online
To track your licence status after a flash, log in to Mes Points Permis (mespoints.permisdeconduire.gouv.fr) via FranceConnect. Update delay: about 30–45 days after the notice is received.
Next step
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