Sweden has an extensive network of speed cameras — both fixed and mobile. Understanding how they operate removes any ambiguity about enforcement.
Fixed Cameras (Fartkameror)
Fixed cameras are mounted in grey poles beside the road. They use radar or piezoelectric strips in the road surface to measure vehicle speed at a specific point. Swedish law requires fixed cameras to be signposted in advance with a camera warning sign — unlike some countries, you are warned before every fixed camera location.
Section Speed Cameras (Sträckmätning)
These systems measure your average speed between two points — often several kilometres apart. Even if you slow down for each camera, driving fast between them will trigger enforcement. Section cameras are increasingly common on rural roads and motorways with persistent speeding problems.
Mobile Cameras
Police operate mobile camera units from unmarked vehicles. These are not signposted and can appear anywhere. Mobile enforcement is particularly common on rural roads and near known accident sites.
Tolerance
Cameras in Sweden are calibrated and legal evidence requires a margin — in practice, enforcement typically begins at around 5–10 km/h over the limit, but this tolerance is not a legal entitlement and can vary.
Exam tip: Section speed cameras measure average speed, not point speed. Slowing at the camera and speeding between cameras will still result in a ticket if the average is above the limit.