Every speed camera in Pretoria – Where they are and when they’ll catch you

There are at least 18 roads in Pretoria that have one or more fixed speed cameras located somewhere along the route.

This is according to information compiled on the Speed Camera Data Base, a website that catalogues the locations and trigger points of speed cameras in countries around the world.

How a speed camera works

There are three different types of speed cameras in South Africa, but the ones most common in city centres are fixed-pole cameras, which are typically painted bright yellow for visibility.

Not all of these cameras function the same way though, as some use a set of piezoelectric strips that are laid out across the road.

The strips can pick up mechanical or thermal inputs from cars passing overhead, which are converted to electrical signals that are broadcast to the camera nearby.

If a person is speeding when they drive over the strip, it will trigger the device to take a photo of the car and its plates.

Alternatively, there is a radar-based system that transmits radio waves at passing vehicles, which are reflected back to the camera.

The system calculates the change in frequency as a car travels over a set distance, which allows it to determine whether a person is speeding.

For a fine to be issued, a fixed camera must provide the following data:

• Date of offence
• Time of offence
• Location code
• Speed measured
• No obstructions apparent
• At least two photographs indicating the vehicle’s position with a clear image of the number plate

If it fails to provide this information, a fine may be dismissed as invalid.

Motorists must also be aware that fixed points do not need to have a sign warning of the upcoming camera, unlike police speed traps.

Pretoria’s speed cameras

The following table contains a list of all the fixed speed cameras in Pretoria and its surrounding areas.

Most of these are designed to catch motorists at a certain speed, but a few are also placed at traffic stops to record when someone goes through a red light.

Note that longer roads may have multiple cameras on them, which is indicated by the listings with multiple speed limits.