Brit motorists should take extra care on the road as the new ‘ultra camera’ technology is expected is to result in a sharp increase in the number of people caught for a wide range of driving offences
A new generation of advanced ‘ultra’ speed cameras that can look at what’s happening on the inside of a vehicle is being launched across the UK.
Featuring cutting-edge digital technology and marking a significant upgrade from traditional systems, the Jenoptik VECTOR-SR is an advanced speed camera that will change the way traffic enforcement is carried out on British roads. Unlike older cameras, which can typically only capture vehicles exceeding the speed limit, the VECTOR-SR is designed to monitor and record a wider range of driving offences, including using phones and not wearing a seatbelt behind the wheel.
They can also catch motorists who run red lights and use sophisticated video-based technology and an intelligent virtual grid to monitor vehicles. This means they can capture clear images and footage of both the vehicle and all of its occupants.
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Operating silently and without the use of a flash, the VECTOR-SR makes it almost impossible for drivers to know when they have been detected. The cameras can monitor traffic in both directions — effectively doubling their coverage capacity.
They are also capable of capturing offences across up to three lanes of traffic at once, making the VECTOR-SR highly effective in busy urban areas and on multi-lane roads — where numerous vehicles may be committing offences simultaneously. According to manufacturer Jenoptik Traffic Solutions, the VECTOR-SR represents the latest in ‘spot camera’ technology — a type of speed enforcement system that measures the speed of a vehicle at a single, specific location on the road.
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When a vehicle passes through this monitored point, the camera uses technologies such as radar, laser, or video analytics to detect and record its speed instantaneously. Another significant advantage of the VECTOR-SR is that it does not require traditional road markings to work.
This allows for greater flexibility in relation to where the cameras can be installed, as they are not dependent on a view of the painted lines on the road’s surface. Designed to operate continuously — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — the cameras ensure traffic laws are enforced at all times.
The VECTOR-SR employs infrared low-light technology, enabling it to make high-quality images and video recordings even in poor lighting conditions and bad weather, eliminating the need for a flash, which can be distracting to drivers and is often ineffective at night or during heavy rain. With this technology, the VECTOR-SR can produce clear evidence of offences in all conditions, making it a powerful tool for law enforcement.
The rollout of the new Jenoptik VECTOR-SR two-way speed camera is already underway across the UK following a series of successful trials in regions including Greater Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Wales. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has signed contracts with Jenoptik to upgrade 90 spot speed cameras and implement the new technology across 25 routes in the county.
The national rollout is set to begin in the summer of 2025. Similar deployments are planned for Scotland, where a deal has been signed for installations around Glasgow and Edinburgh
As these new two-way speed cameras are introduced across the nation, drivers are being warned to be aware — the VECTOR-SR is expected to lead to a rise in the number of motorists caught for a wide range of offences. With the ability to see inside cars and operate around the clock, these cameras represent a significant step forward in road safety enforcement.
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