Average speed cameras: How they work and where they are

How average speed cameras work and where they are used for speed enforcement on South African roads.

Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) cameras are increasing in popularity as a method of speed enforcement, and they have a proven record of reducing vehicle accidents in the areas they have been implemented. However, ASOD cameras are relatively uncommon, and speed traps still monitor the majority of roads in South Africa.

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HOW IT WORKS

According to Top Auto, the average speed system uses two cameras and captures the vehicle at either end of a variable length of road.

Over a four-year period, the introduction of ASOD cameras on the N1 highway reduced the number of speeding incidents from 586 to 362 per month.

The system calculates how long it is expected to take to drive through the section based on the assigned speed limit.

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A time-over-distance formula is used to determine if a motorist is speeding. If that’s the case, a fine will be issued.

“ASOD was first initiated by KZN, and it was based on this learning that the Western Cape Government took the decision to implement it as one of its weapons to counter the scourge of road crash fatalities.

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“The R61 [between Beaufort West and the Eastern Cape]… was one of the roads where we had major crashes and of course, one must note that a taxi or bus crash results in multiple deaths. Since the implementation of the ASOD on this road a drastic decline in road deaths as well as speeds are visible and recorded,” said Kevin October, the Head of Road Safety in the Western Cape, to Arrive Alive.

AVERAGE SPEED CAMERA LOCATIONS

According to Arrive Alive, the benefits of average speed enforcement are:

• Drastic reduction in vehicle speed
• Change in driver behaviour
• Vehicle and driver compliance
• Higher visibility of traffic officers

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According to Top Auto, the ASOD system is currently used in three provinces – the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

Gauteng has also reportedly expressed interest in converting its e-toll gantries to ASOD enforcement.

Roads with ASOD enforcement:

Western Cape

• N1 – Laingsburg to Towns River
• N1 – Leeu Gamka to Lainsburg
• N1 – Beauford West to Leeu Gamka
• N1 – Three Sisters to Beauford West
• N2 – Sir Lowry’s Pass to Houw Hoek
• M3 – University of Cape Town to District Six
• M5 – Kromboom to Kenilworth
• R27 – Ganze Kraal to Saldanha
• R61 – Aberdeen to Beauford West

Free State

• N3 – Warden to Villiers
• N3 – Harrismith to Warden
• N3 – Van Reenen to Harrismith

Kwa-Zulu Natal

• N3 – Van Reenen’s Pass (southbound only)
• N3 – Roosboom to Togula Plaza
• N3 – Hidcote to Roosboom
• N3 – Tweedie to Nottingham Road (southbound only)
• N3 – Cedara to Tweedie

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