LONDON motorists will have even extra reason to keep to the speed limit as Tfl rolls out new radar-based speed cameras.
Speeding was the cause of more than half of major collisions in London in 2024 with Transport for London and Metropolitan Police introducing new initiatives to combat the problem.
Together Tfl, the Mayor’s office and the Met Police will start trialling the radar-based cameras which don’t rely on road markings or a visible flash unlike traditional speed cameras.
The new machine work by using infrared technology to capture high-definition images.
That means many drivers could be snapped by the cameras and not even realise they’ve been caught until a penalty notice arrives through the mail.
The new cameras can provide wide coverage including up to five lanes of traffic in both directions, as compared to the current spot speed cameras which can only scan up to three lanes of traffic and require sensors in each of the lanes.
They will be set up in 10 locations, including Tower Hamlets, Croydon, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing and Sutton.
The 10 sites are on roads 20mph or 30mph speed limits and have were selected on the basis of suitability and risk.
“Speeding continues to be a major cause of the most devastating collisions on our roads,” said Siwan Hayward TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement
“This trial allows us to test new radar‑based camera technology to ensure it meets London’s future enforcement needs”.
The speed camera trial is part of a joint plan by TfL, Met Police and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Called Zero Action Plan 2, the plan aims to reduce road danger, and prevent deaths and serious injuries over the next five years.
“It is tragic whenever anyone is killed or seriously injured on our roads, and speeding remains a major factor, which is why our officers are totally committed to reducing that risk,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith, of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command.
“Working alongside TfL, the Met will use every tool available, including new radar‑based camera technology, to deter dangerous driving and support Vision Zero’s ambition of eliminating deaths on London’s roads.”
She added: “This trial will improve reliability and deliver better quality images, helping our officers hold offenders to account and ensuring we have a modern and effective enforcement system that saves lives.”
