Israeli Police Lower Speed Camera Enforcement Thresholds to Curb Accidents

The Israeli Police are implementing a significant change this week in the enforcement policy of their speed cameras, specifically the A-3 cameras deployed nationwide. This adjustment involves recalibrating the speed thresholds that trigger the cameras, effectively lowering the speed at which drivers are fined. The police explained that this decision follows a comprehensive professional review of each camera's location, considering road characteristics, traffic volume, accident data, and risk factors.

Previously, these cameras operated with a tolerance margin of about 10 percent above the posted speed limit before issuing fines. For example, on a road with a 100 km/h limit, the camera would activate only at speeds exceeding 110 km/h. The new policy aims to reduce this margin, although exact new thresholds will vary by location and will not necessarily match the speed limit exactly. The police emphasized that changes will apply only to certain cameras situated on high-risk road segments.

It is important to note that the legal framework still requires a 5 km/h error margin to be deducted from recorded speeds before fines are issued. This means a driver caught at 120 km/h will be fined for 115 km/h. Other enforcement tools like laser guns and radar devices are unaffected by this change, as their enforcement thresholds are determined by officers on the spot.

Currently, there are approximately 80 active A-3 speed cameras in Israel, with some additional cameras functioning as decoys. The police are also acquiring new average-speed cameras that measure speed over longer road sections. This enforcement policy update coincides with a recent judicial reform that reclassifies minor speeding offenses from criminal to administrative violations, facilitating automatic fines for slight speed excesses.

Fines vary depending on the road type and speed over the limit, ranging from 250 to 750 shekels. Drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles may have grounds to contest fines due to potential interference with the metal strip sensors, as ruled in a recent Ashdod court case. The police are currently investigating this issue further with technical experts. Drivers are advised to adhere strictly to speed limits and use navigation apps that alert to speed cameras to avoid penalties.