Speed cameras have recorded much fewer infringements this year than in 2022

TALLINN - A significant drop has occurred in the number of infringements recorded by speed cameras in Estonia in the first seven months of this year, compared to the same period in 2022.

In the seven months, stationary speed cameras recorded 151,792 infringements, compared with 180,455 during the same period in 2022 and 164,381 in 2021. Mobile speed cameras recorded 99,701 infringements, compared with 125,802 in the same period last year and 117,758 in the first seven months of 2021, Alar Karu, head of the traffic violation procedure service at the Police and Border Guard Board, said.

"So far this year, cautionary penalties of about 5.3 million euros have been imposed for violations registered by both stationary and mobile speed cameras. In the same period in 2022, the amount was 5.6 million euros, and in 2021, it was 3.3 million euros. It must be taken into account that starting from March 1 last year, the fine for speeding increased from three euros to five euros for each kmh driven over the limit," Karu told BNS.

The speed camera at Libatse on the Tallinn-Parnu-Ikla road recorded the most speeding cases in the first seven months this year, accounting for almost a tenth of all violations recorded by stationary cameras. Mobile speed cameras recorded the most infringements in Tallinn, where slightly more than half of all cases on record were recorded with mobile cameras.

In July, 12,923 infringements were recorded by fixed cameras and 15,004 by mobile cameras. Cases where the driver went 20 kmh or less over the limit made up the highest proportion of speeding infringements. Of stationary cameras, the two cameras at Uikala on the Tallinn-Narva road and the Libatse camera recorded the highest number of infringements, each from 1,400 to 1,600 cases.

The highest cautionary penalties, of 235 euros, were slapped on persons who went 49 kmh over the limit.

In cases where the speed limit is exceeded by 50 kmh or more, the cautionary penalty is not applied and, in addition to a fine or detention, the driver may be subject to a suspension of the license and the offense will be recorded in the criminal record.