Pilot project on radar traps No advantage in announcing radar locations

In the canton of Solothurn, a three-year pilot project has concluded with findings indicating that publishing the locations of speed cameras does not yield measurable benefits in terms of driver behavior or accident reduction. The experiment, which was initiated in May 2022 under the direction of the cantonal police, aimed to assess whether making radar locations public would influence road users' driving habits and enhance traffic safety. According to the final report released by the government, there were no observable changes in driving patterns or accident rates following the publication of radar positions. During the trial period, fixed speed camera units, often referred to as "blitzkästen", were made publicly available. The data revealed a temporary effect: drivers tended to brake more sharply upon encountering these devices, regardless of whether their exact locations had been disclosed. This reaction was consistent even among those who were aware of the camera placements beforehand. However, this short-term adjustment did not translate into long-term behavioral change or a decrease in accidents. The report acknowledges that while the information about radar locations fulfills a public interest, the administrative effort required to maintain such transparency is considered minimal. As a result, the decision to continue or discontinue the practice lies solely with the cantonal police. In response to inquiries from SRF News, the Solothurn police indicated they plan to resume publishing radar locations starting September 1st. Speed control measures are described in the report as playing a crucial role in enhancing road safety. They help ensure compliance with posted speed limits and reduce both the likelihood and severity of potential collisions. These effects remain consistent regardless of whether the locations of the speed cameras are made public. The report emphasizes that the preventive impact of speed controls is independent of location disclosure. Solothurn continues to be part of a minority group of cantons that choose not to publish radar locations. Other cantons have adopted different approaches. For example, the canton of Lucerne publishes an updated map showing all stationary and semi-stationary speed monitoring devices. In contrast, Ticino only discloses general areas rather than specific coordinates. Mobile speed checks, however, remain confidential across all regions, including Solothurn. The decision to keep mobile speed checks secret is based on the belief that their surprise factor contributes significantly to road safety. Police authorities argue that the element of unpredictability helps deter speeding and ensures safer driving conditions. This rationale is echoed by the police department in the neighboring canton of Aargau, which also maintains the confidentiality of mobile speed check locations. Aargau relies almost exclusively on mobile speed controls, with only one permanently installed speed camera in Baden, AG. This device serves as an exception, having been approved after a popular initiative known as “Blitzerabzocke stoppen” received 56% of the votes in March. The initiative effectively restricts the installation of permanent speed cameras in Aargau unless authorized by the cantonal council. Thus, the balance between enforcement methods and public transparency varies significantly across different regions.