Israeli Police Adjust Speed Camera Enforcement Thresholds Based on Road Risk Levels

The Israeli Police Traffic Department is changing how speed cameras operate on roads, without altering the legal speed limits themselves. Instead of a uniform enforcement threshold, each camera will now have a variable threshold depending on the characteristics of the road where it is installed. Factors such as the number of accidents in the area, traffic congestion, road infrastructure, and ongoing roadworks will be considered.

This means that on particularly dangerous road sections, cameras may enforce even minor speed limit violations, while in lower-risk areas, the enforcement threshold may be more lenient. The police will not disclose the specific enforcement thresholds for each camera or reveal where thresholds have been tightened or relaxed. This approach aims to encourage drivers to adhere strictly to posted speed limits rather than relying on previously known tolerance margins.

Deputy Commissioner Shimi Marciano, head of research and development at the Traffic Department, explained that the change responds to the high number of road casualties. Last year, 459 people died in road accidents, and so far this year, 270 fatalities have been recorded. Alongside adjusting enforcement thresholds, the police plan to intensify efforts against traffic violations by deploying more cameras, using different enforcement methods, and stationing officers at high-risk locations.