Speed cameras in Poland - operation, locations and impact on safety
- Damian Brzeski
- Mar 25
- 12 min read
Do speed cameras actually improve road safety, or is it just a way to increase revenue from fines? There are more and more speed monitoring devices in Poland, and their technologies are becoming more advanced.
From traditional speed cameras, through mobile cameras with LIDAR system, to section speed measurement – the CANARD system is constantly evolving.
How do these devices work? Where are they located? And most importantly, how can you avoid hefty fines? You'll find the answers in our article.
How do speed cameras work in Poland?
Speed cameras in Poland play a key role in enforcing road rules and improving safety. They use advanced speed measurement technologies to effectively identify drivers exceeding the permitted limits.
CANARD system and its role in road supervision
The Automatic Road Traffic Surveillance Centre (CANARD) , operating within the General Inspectorate of Road Transport, is responsible for the operation of the speed camera system in Poland. CANARD manages a network of stationary and mobile speed cameras and a section speed measurement system.
Thanks to modern technologies, it automatically processes data and sends tickets to drivers who broke the law.
Technologies used in speed cameras
Speed cameras operate using different measurement methods:
Doppler radars – measure the speed of a vehicle based on the change in the frequency of the wave reflected from the car.
Lidars (lasers) – send a laser beam that reflects from the vehicle and allows for precise speed measurement.
High-resolution cameras – record license plates and, in some cases, the image of the driver.
Types of speed cameras and their uses
There are three main types of speed cameras used in Poland:
Fixed speed cameras – permanently installed in yellow boxes, clearly marked with warning signs approximately 100 metres before their location. Most often found in built-up areas, near schools, at intersections and in places with an increased risk of accidents.
Mobile speed cameras – operated from marked and unmarked police cars, such as BMW 330i, Opel Insignia or Kia Stinger . Thanks to their mobility, they can be set up anywhere.
Average speed cameras – they record the travel time between two points and use this to calculate the average speed of the vehicle. Found on the A1 motorway and in other places requiring special control.
Thanks to the use of these technologies, the speed camera system in Poland effectively enforces road traffic regulations, improving safety and reducing the number of accidents.
Where are speed cameras located in Poland?
Speed cameras in Poland are strategically placed in places where their presence can significantly improve safety. Thanks to the speed camera map , drivers can check their exact locations and adjust their driving to the applicable regulations.
Speed camera map – how to check locations?
When planning a trip around Poland, it is worth using available tools, such as the Polish speed camera map , which shows where speed cameras are installed. Interactive maps available online, e.g. on the CANARD website, allow you to easily check the locations of speed cameras throughout the country.
Thanks to the speed camera map , you can avoid sudden braking and drive more smoothly.
The most active speed cameras in Poland
Some speed cameras record more offences than others, depending on the intensity of traffic and how well drivers comply with the rules.
They are most often found in large cities, near schools and on roads with high traffic. The number of speed cameras in Poland is growing, and new installations are appearing in particularly dangerous places.
New speed cameras - planned locations
According to CANARD plans, the speed camera system in Poland will be continuously developed. Particular emphasis is placed on section measurement devices , which effectively enforce compliance with limits on longer sections of roads.
Currently, there are plans to install further TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras , which are among the most technologically advanced speed monitoring systems.
Thanks to the constantly updated Polish speed camera map , drivers can constantly check new locations and adjust their behavior on the road. It is worth remembering that the presence of speed cameras is intended to improve the safety of all road users.
Sectional speed measurement – how does it work?
Section speed measurement is a modern method of control that effectively eliminates the problem of sudden braking in front of individual speed cameras. Section speed measurement devices monitor vehicles over a specified distance, calculating the recorded speed of the vehicle over the entire length of the controlled section.
Principle of operation and effectiveness of the system
The system works on the principle of two cameras recording the moment of entry and exit from the designated section. The speed camera records data on the time of travel and on this basis the system calculates the average speed. If it exceeds the permitted limit, the driver will receive a penalty ticket .
It is worth remembering that the sections covered by section speed measurement are always perfectly marked. A characteristic distinguishing sign is a gantry with cameras painted yellow - when you drive under it, you can be sure that this is the beginning or end of the controlled section.
If, however, the cameras are located at an intersection, their function is to monitor compliance with traffic lights – then we are dealing with a red light camera .
Research shows that section speed control effectively reduces the number of accidents on controlled sections by forcing drivers to maintain a constant speed over the entire distance.
Differences between speed cameras and section speed measurement
A tracking speed camera records a single moment of exceeding the speed limit, while section measurement devices monitor speed over a longer distance.
TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras , used in Poland, often cooperate with section speed measurement systems , providing more comprehensive speed control .
Polish speed cameras can operate in spot mode or be part of a section system.
Currently , section measurement devices are being installed more and more often in Poland, especially on routes with a high risk of accidents, such as the A1 motorway. Thanks to this, drivers are more aware of the need to comply with speed limits on longer sections of the road.
Modern speed cameras used in Poland
The Polish speed control system is constantly being modernized, and new speed cameras ensure increasingly greater effectiveness in enforcing road traffic regulations.
The most technologically advanced devices include the TraffiStar SR390 , Mesta Fusion RN , POLISCAN FM1 , SmartEye ST-1 speed cameras and the newly planned mobile speed cameras on trailers from Vitronic.
TraffiStar SR390 – advanced features and performance
TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras are among the most modern devices used in Poland. The speed camera uses various technologies, such as Doppler and laser radar, which allows for accurate measurement of speed on multiple lanes simultaneously.
The device can also identify vehicles running red lights and record other traffic violations.
In February 2025, CANARD signed a contract for the delivery and installation of 70 new TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras , which will be installed over 50 weeks. These devices can monitor four lanes of traffic simultaneously and provide improved image quality in difficult lighting conditions.
The modernisation also includes the replacement of older devices, which means that the number of TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras in Poland will soon increase significantly.
Mesta Fusion RN – precise traffic monitoring
The French speed camera Mesta Fusion RN is an advanced tool that allows you to monitor multiple vehicles at once. In addition to speeding , the device can record improper lane changes and driving in a bus lane.
Thanks to artificial intelligence technology, Mesta Fusion RN effectively analyzes road traffic in real time.
POLISCAN FM1 and its application in photo trailers
POLISCAN FM1 is a mobile Polish speed camera , often used in so-called photo trailers that can be set up anywhere.
The speed recording device uses LIDAR technology, which ensures high measurement precision. This speed camera works regardless of weather conditions and can be used both in built-up areas and on motorways.
Mobile speed cameras on trailers – a new element of the control system
The Chief Inspectorate of Road Transport plans to expand the control system with mobile speed cameras on trailers , manufactured by the German company Vitronic. The new devices use LiDAR scanning technology, which allows for precise speed measurement even in poor visibility and in places with heavy traffic.
Mobile speed cameras on trailers have several important features:
Can be easily transported and set up anywhere,
Powered by efficient replaceable batteries,
Bulletproof housing protected against acts of vandalism,
Fire extinguishing system, alarm and motion sensors monitoring the device's surroundings,
Possibility of remote access to measurement data.
New speed cameras could be introduced in 2025, and the first ones could be placed near schools to increase the safety of children returning to school after the holidays.
SmartEye ST-1 – Polish technology in road supervision
SmartEye ST-1 is a modern speed camera tracking device , developed by Polish engineers. This device not only monitors speed, but also analyzes driver behavior, e.g. using a phone while driving.
Thanks to advanced algorithms, SmartEye ST-1 helps improve safety on Polish roads.
Older speed camera models, especially those from before 2016, are being systematically replaced with newer, more advanced devices. The modernization process, which began in 2022, includes replacing 247 outdated devices.
Thanks to new technologies, such as the TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras , enforcement of regulations becomes more effective, leading to a reduction in the number of accidents and improved speed control on Polish roads.
Speed Camera Tickets – What’s Worth Knowing?
Exceeding the speed limit in Poland may result in a ticket issued based on a photo from a tracking speed camera . The camera records data about the vehicle, its speed and license plate, and in some cases also the driver's image.
It is worth knowing what the procedure for issuing a fine looks like and what the possibilities are for appealing against it.
What offences do speed cameras record?
Modern speed recording devices in Poland can detect not only speeding , but also other traffic offences, such as:
Driving through a red light (red light camera),
Driving in the bus lane,
Failure to maintain an appropriate distance between vehicles,
Using your phone while driving.
How much is a speeding fine?
The amount of the fine depends on the degree of speeding . The current fine schedule is as follows:
Speeding | Fine amount (PLN) | Penalty points |
up to 10 km/h | 50 | 1 |
11-20 km/h | 100 | 2 |
21-30 km/h | 200 | 4 |
31-40 km/h | 300 | 6 |
41-50 km/h | 400 | 8 |
over 50 km/h | 500+ | 10 |
Although the tariff includes a ticket for exceeding the speed limit by up to 10 km/h, in practice it is issued very rarely. Currently, the rule in Poland is that a ticket is issued only for exceeding the speed limit by 11 km/h or more - regardless of the type of road, built-up area or the applicable limit.
This may be new to many foreign drivers, as many countries have percentage limits (e.g. +10% of the permitted speed) or fixed tolerance values, such as in Russia (+20 km/h).
According to press reports, this limit may be tightened in the future and speed cameras will record even the smallest exceedances without a safety margin. At the moment, however, all recording devices are set to a minimum of +11 km/h .
Until recently, these limits were set higher in Poland to show drivers that speed cameras are used to improve safety and not just increase budget revenues .
The standard tolerance was around +20 km/h, and in some cases even more. Thanks to the change in drivers' habits, who started driving slower and less frequently exceeding the speed limit, the number of tickets issued began to decrease.
Of course, we are talking about statistics per driver – the total number of tickets is still growing due to the dynamic expansion of the speed camera network in Poland.
How to pay a speed camera fine?
Once an offence is detected, the TraffiStar SR390 speed camera system automatically processes the data and sends a fine notification.
Possible payment methods include:
Bank transfer to the indicated account,
Online payment via CANARD service,
Payment in person at a post office or bank.
Tourists from abroad receive their fines by post, with payment instructions and an IBAN account number.
Can I appeal a fine?
It is possible to appeal a penalty notice in several cases, for example if the photo is unclear or if the vehicle owner was not driving at the time of the offence.
In such a situation, you can:
Indicate the actual driver,
Submit a motion to invalidate the mandate to the court,
Claim a measurement error or improper operation of the speed camera.
Knowing the procedures surrounding fines helps avoid unnecessary complications and makes drivers more aware of the consequences of speeding .
The cost of installing and maintaining speed cameras
Speed cameras are not only a road control tool, but also a significant element of infrastructure requiring large financial outlays.
The cost of purchasing, installing, maintaining and operating speed cameras depends on the type of device and the technology it uses.
How much does it cost to install a speed camera?
The cost of a single Polish speed camera depends on its type and functions:
Stationary speed cameras – the cost of purchase and installation is on average PLN 250,000 – 400,000 per device, including the necessary power supply and data transmission systems.
TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras , equipped with advanced functions for monitoring multiple lanes and identifying various offences, can cost up to PLN 500,000 each.
Section speed measurement devices , which require the installation of at least two cameras and analytical systems, are an expense of around PLN 1-2 million per section.
Mobile speed cameras on trailers , such as the new Vitronic systems, cost around PLN 700,000 – PLN 1 million per set, including battery systems and remote control modules.
Financing the road supervision system
Maintaining and developing the CANARD speed camera system requires significant resources, so funding comes from several sources:
State budget – General Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD) receives funds for the installation and modernization of equipment.
National Reconstruction Plan (KPO) – funds from this program are to support the purchase of 160 new speed cameras , including section speed measurement devices and cameras monitoring railway crossings and intersections.
Revenue from fines – although the purpose of speed cameras is to improve safety, revenue from fines is a significant part of the budget for their maintenance.
Operating costs and modernization of the speed camera network
In addition to the installation itself, speed cameras require regular maintenance and system updates. It is estimated that the annual maintenance costs of one tracking speed camera are PLN 20,000 - 50,000 , depending on the location and intensity of use.
Currently, older models are being modernized – the number of pre-2016 speed cameras is gradually decreasing, and they are being replaced by modern devices. The planned replacement of 247 outdated speed cameras will cost about PLN 100 million .
Investments in new technologies are intended to increase system effectiveness and improve road safety, while reducing the costs of servicing older, less efficient models.
The impact of speed cameras on road safety
Speed cameras play a key role in improving safety on Polish roads by forcing drivers to comply with the rules.
Statistical data indicate that since the implementation of the speed camera system and section speed measurement devices , the number of accidents in controlled locations has decreased significantly.
Do speed cameras effectively reduce the number of accidents?
Research conducted by CANARD and GITD shows that in places where modern tracking speed cameras have been installed, the number of accidents has decreased by an average of 30-50% .
Sectional speed measurement devices have proven to be particularly effective, as they eliminate sudden braking and re-acceleration after passing a classic speed camera.
According to reports, in 2024, on road sections subject to speed control, the following were recorded:
45% fewer collisions compared to the previous year,
40% fewer fatalities ,
50% fewer serious injuries from accidents.
Factors influencing the improvement of safety
While the data suggests a direct effect of speed cameras on reducing accidents, this correlation can be misleading. Looking at statistics alone, one could wrongly assume that installing speed cameras at every intersection will eliminate accidents altogether.
In fact, the improvement in safety on Polish roads is also due to many other factors:
Expansion of modern road infrastructure – in recent years, Poland has carried out a huge modernization of its network of expressways, which are among the most modern in Europe.
Modern cars – The gradual replacement of older vehicles with modern models equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (e.g. lane assistant, automatic braking) significantly improves passive and active safety.
Tighter regulations – Tougher sanctions for road pirates and drunk drivers effectively reduce risky behaviour on the roads.
Polish model of road supervision
Poland, following the example of other countries, has developed its own, less restrictive road surveillance system. It is distinguished by the fact that speed cameras are not hidden, but openly marked and brightly painted , which is unique on a global scale.
The surveillance system is aimed primarily at road pirates, not average drivers.
This can be seen in the approach to speed limits - in Poland there is a tolerance of +11 km/h , which means that tickets are issued only after exceeding this value.
Until recently, the devices were set to even higher limits (even +20 km/h) to avoid accusations of generating tickets for budget purposes.
Drivers' opinions on the speed camera system
Drivers in Poland have mixed opinions about speed cameras. On the one hand, they see their positive impact on improving safety, on the other – some believe that some of the locations of speed cameras are not justified and the system only serves to generate revenue from fines.
The most frequently raised arguments are:
Positive: Improving safety around schools, intersections and dangerous road sections.
Negative: No tolerance for minimal speeding and the placement of some devices in areas with a low risk of accidents.
The future of the speed camera system in Poland
Due to the constantly developing road infrastructure and the growing number of speed cameras , further investments in modern monitoring systems are planned. In the coming years, we can expect:
More TraffiStar SR390 speed cameras in key locations,
Expansion of the network of section speed measurement devices ,
Implementation of intelligent traffic analysis systems that will enable even more effective detection of violations of regulations.
Although the controversy surrounding speed cameras continues, the data clearly indicates that their presence contributes to improving safety on Polish roads.
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