Three new radar cars are hitting the roads of Nice and its region!

Since November 3rd, three unmarked radar cars have been cruising the roads of Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes. These vehicles, without logos, light bars, or uniforms, blend into the flow of traffic with one goal: to deter speeding. Set up by the State, this initiative aims to reduce the still-too-high accident rates in the department. It goes without saying that speed enthusiasts might soon need to ease off the gas.

These "ghost" radar cars cover 44 routes deemed dangerous, totaling nearly 2,500 kilometers. Day or night, whether it’s a weekday or the weekend, they keep an eye out for speeders using onboard sensors and invisible infrared flashes. It's impossible to spot them with the naked eye: the vehicles change their routes every month, keeping everyone on their toes. And for the more optimistic, there's no break: the checks involve not just cars but also trucks and two-wheelers.

A deeply rooted scourge on the asphalt

Speed remains the leading cause of serious accidents in the Alpes-Maritimes. Since the beginning of the year, the department has recorded 579 accidents, including 37 fatal ones. Between 2021 and 2024, nearly a third of road fatalities were linked to excessive speed. Despite preventive campaigns, the message is still struggling to get through. For the authorities, these radar cars represent a “firm response” to ongoing road safety issues.

The system is not new: it has proven itself in Normandy since 2017 before being rolled out across France. These externally operated cars—managed by private operators under state control—have already led to a significant decrease in violations in several regions. By the end of 2025, France will have around 300 of these vehicles on its roads. That means we’ll need to get used to driving (a little) more carefully.