These are the car radars that Spain wants to install: they use laser pulses, they run on wheels, and they're a fine-issuing machine.

Spain is ready to incorporate one of the most efficient speed control systems, which has been in operation for years in France. This past Wednesday, the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, announced the arrival of the so-called " car radars " or "speed cameras on wheels" during the presentation of the summer road accident report, which closed with 228 road fatalities.

The minister explained that these devices would initially be used in specific sections where speed must be monitored more closely, such as construction zones. He added that they will be especially useful in areas of between two and three kilometers, temporarily marked, and where the presence of a permanent checkpoint is difficult.

Unlike conventional radars, the main innovation of this system is that they are installed on a wheeled platform, making them easy to transport and place in different locations. Furthermore, they have a power autonomy of several days without needing to be connected to a power source or requiring the supervision of traffic officers.

How do mobile radars work?

These radars use laser light pulses to measure vehicle speed and are designed to cover multiple lanes and directions simultaneously, with a range of up to 75 meters. Their design includes Wi-Fi connectivity for real-time data transmission and allows them to move quickly from one location to another, adapting to the monitoring needs.

The Catalan Traffic Service already has several of these devices after an investment of two million euros, and the results indicate that they will become an effective tool for monitoring hotspots and strengthening highway safety.

French-inspired

The model isn't new: France has been using it since 2013 with so-called voitures radar , or radar vehicles. These devices, camouflaged in everyday cars, can issue fines both while moving and while stationary , thanks to infrared flash technology that allows license plate capture without being noticed by drivers.

Although the Spanish model is not installed on unmarked vehicles, but on mobile platforms, it shares the same philosophy: flexibility and the ability to adapt to new scenarios . While France has focused its success on secondary roads and traffic zones, Spain is seeking to use the new radars as support during high-risk periods, gradually expanding their use to other roads.

The arrival of this innovative method of speed measurement marks a new chapter in road safety strategy. The French model demonstrated that the mobility and discretion of these systems increases their efficiency; the challenge now will be to see if the Spanish adaptation can reduce accidents at critical points and improve driver awareness.