Parliament passes second reading of speed camera warning sign bill

On Monday, 15 June, parliament held the second reading of amendments to the Traffic Act, which will require drivers to be informed of automatic speed measurement locations. The bill's initiators from the Reform Party and Estonia 200 consider the changes important for improving road safety. The final vote will take place on Wednesday, 17 June.

Parliament held the second reading of amendments to the Traffic Act on Monday, 15 June, which will establish an obligation to inform drivers of automatic speed measurement points through warning signs.

Reasons cited by the bill's initiators

The bill has been initiated by Valdo Randpere and Madis Timpson of the Reform Party and Marek Reinaas of Estonia 200. Randpere stressed that the purpose of speed enforcement should be to increase road safety, not to write as many fines as possible.

"Even a 2023 study commissioned by the police itself shows that warning signs before automatic enforcement help drivers better comply with speed limits and improve overall road safety. If a warning sign helps prevent accidents, it is difficult to find an argument against it," said Randpere.

Timpson emphasized that enforcement must be not only effective but also fair. "When automatic speed enforcement is used, its rules must be known to everyone in advance. A clear obligation to inform drivers helps ensure that traffic enforcement fulfils its purpose transparently and lawfully, and strengthens public trust in enforcement authorities," Timpson said.

According to Reinaas, the most effective enforcement is that which influences people's behaviour before a violation occurs. "Automatic enforcement signs help drivers adjust their speed at the right time and encourage the development of a safer traffic culture. Road safety is not achieved through penalties alone, but primarily by ensuring that people follow the rules consciously," Reinaas added.

Voting results and further procedure

The Social Democrats proposed that the bill be rejected at the second reading, but the proposal received support from only ten SDE members. Fifty members of parliament voted against it, including opposition representatives from the Estonian National Conservative Party, Social Democrat Peeter Ernits, and non-affiliated MPs.

According to the bill, a sign informing of speed measurement must be placed 300-500 metres before the measurement point outside populated areas, and 150-300 metres before the point in populated areas. The final vote on the bill will take place on Wednesday, 17 June.