How does section speed controls work and what does it really mean when the speed camera flashes?

Although speed cameras are a familiar sight for those on the road, not everyone knows what section speed controls are and how they differ from spot speed controls.

Section measuring calculates the average speed on a stretch of road with a single speed limit. In simple terms, if your average speed is determined to be too high between two speed cameras located at opposite ends of the section, you may incur a fine. The two speed cameras are normally placed between 2 and 20 kilometers apart. The first speed camera, speed camera A, takes a picture of all passing vehicles and stores information such as the time of passing and the vehicle's license plate number.

When the vehicles pass the second speed camera, speed camera B, a new photo is taken of them. By then, the information from speed camera A has already been sent to speed camera B. Based on this information, the vehicles are recognized.

Speed camera B has the important task of calculating the average speed of each of the vehicles. It accomplishes this by dividing the distance between the two speed cameras by the time the vehicle has spent driving from A to B.

Even if you are speeding at one or both of the two speed cameras, you will not be fined unless your average speed is too high. However, as a driver, it is important to slow down in time to avoid fines.

Have you ever noticed a red light flashing after passing a speed camera, giving you a bit of a scare? In spot speed measurement, a red light signals that you were driving too fast, but this may not necessarily be the case in section speed measurement.

The confusion around the red light comes from the fact that the speed cameras used for point measurement only take a picture of your car if you are driving too fast. The speed cameras used for distance measurement, on the other hand, take a picture no matter how fast or slow you drive.

The red light from the speed cameras is therefore irrelevant in section speed controls. However, you will receive a different warning if you have been speeding. If you have been driving too fast, there will be a yellow light blinking 50 metres after the second camera. If this happen, you can expect a fine. Since the average speed is not shown on any sign, the time until you know the fine amount can be quite nerve-wracking.

Before the fine arrives in your mailbox, the photos taken of the vehicle and information about the vehicle are sent to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. There, a case officer checks that it is the same vehicle that has been photographed in both speed cameras. Once this is confirmed, the case officer sends the case to the police. Only the police can issue speeding fines or other penalties.

In speed controls, it is always the driver who is responsible for paying any fines, not the car owner. The police will examine the images to see if it is the car owner who is behind the wheel. If it is not, the car owner will be asked to state who was driving the car.

The Norwegian Metrology Service has developed a method for obtaining precise measurements of average speed. This involves conducting numerous control measurements of the distance between speed cameras. In addition, they have checked that the equipment in the speed cameras measures the correct time and speed. The margins of error for both distance and average speed are minimal.

As many as 8 out of 10 Norwegians drive too fast from time to time, which means that many have received one or more speeding fines. Often, speed cameras go unnoticed until it's too late, or perhaps not noticed at all.

Safedrive Pro alerts you to speed cameras and all checks carried out by the police, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Norwegian Customs, with the exception of breathalyzer checks. The device helps drivers become more attentive and aware of their own speed - preventing both fines and accidents.

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Source: vegvesen.no