Solothurn finds no benefit in publishing speed camera locations
Thursday 13th August 2026 on 06:45 in
Switzerland
A three-year pilot project in the canton of Solothurn found that publishing speed camera locations had no demonstrable effect on driving behaviour or accident numbers, Swiss broadcaster SRF reported.
The Solothurn parliament commissioned the cantonal police in May 2022 to publish the locations of fixed and relocatable speed measurement systems. The trial was intended to determine whether the information would influence motorists and improve road safety.
The final report published by the cantonal government found that motorists did not drive more slowly and that accidents did not increase. Drivers and truck drivers did slow down when they saw a camera, but this short-term effect occurred whether or not the location had been published.
The report said publishing the locations met a public demand for information and created only a small administrative burden for police. Since the trial produced neither advantages nor disadvantages, the cantonal police can decide whether to continue publishing the locations.
Solothurn cantonal police told SRF that they would probably resume publishing the locations of stationary and semi-stationary speed checks from September 1.
Speed checks have a preventive effect regardless of whether their locations are published, the report said. They encourage compliance with posted speed limits and help reduce the risk and possible severity of accidents.
Solothurn remains one of a minority of Swiss cantons that publish speed camera locations. Practices vary elsewhere. The canton of Lucerne publishes a map of all stationary and semi-stationary systems, updated hourly, while the canton of Ticino publishes only the relevant municipalities, not the exact locations.
Mobile speed checks will remain secret in Solothurn. The cantonal government said their surprise effect made a significant contribution to road safety and meant that their locations should not be published.
Neighbouring Aargau relies almost exclusively on mobile checks. It has one fixed speed camera, in Baden, which is intended to remain an exception. Voters approved an initiative in March with 56 percent support requiring government approval before fixed cameras can be installed in the canton.