Israeli Police Introduce Variable Speed Camera Enforcement Thresholds to Enhance Road Safety

The Israeli Police Traffic Department announced a new policy change regarding the operation of speed cameras on roads. While the legal speed limits remain unchanged, the enforcement threshold for each speed camera will now be set individually based on the specific risk level of the road segment where it is installed. Previously, a uniform enforcement threshold was applied across all cameras.

The criteria for determining each camera's enforcement threshold include the number of accidents at the location, traffic volume, and existing road infrastructure, which can frequently change due to roadworks. Consequently, some cameras may begin enforcing at very small speed violations, while others may have a higher threshold. This means the same speed violation could be treated differently depending on the road.

The police clarified they will not disclose which cameras have had their enforcement thresholds raised or lowered, nor the new thresholds themselves, preventing drivers from knowing the exact speed at which cameras start recording violations. Superintendent Shimi Marciano, head of research and development at the Traffic Department, explained the move is a response to the high toll of road fatalities, with 459 deaths last year and 270 so far this year, alongside thousands of injuries.

The police aim to shift from uniform enforcement to risk-focused enforcement to encourage drivers to comply with posted speed limits consistently rather than trying to guess enforcement thresholds. Additional measures planned include installing more cameras, varied enforcement methods, and deploying officers at problematic locations.

However, the policy has faced sharp criticism. Traffic law expert attorney Tomer Gonen described it as a "driver tax" and argued that cameras only affect a short range and do not reduce accidents. He noted that 81% of drivers involved in accidents have no prior traffic violations. Critics also warn the change could undermine drivers' ability to contest administrative fines in court. The Traffic Committee of the Israeli Bar Association plans to convene to consider possible responses, including a potential Supreme Court petition.

While drivers have long adapted to slowing down only near known camera locations, the police hope this new approach will create a deterrent effect that promotes adherence to speed limits everywhere. The success of the policy will ultimately be measured by reductions in road deaths and injuries, not by the number of fines issued.