In traffic enforcement, first of all two types of methods can be distinguished: enforcement by means of stopping drivers or by means of camera surveillance on the basis of licence plates. The method also depends on the type of violation. Table 1 presents an overview of the most common methods used for different types of violations, whether by stopping drivers or by licence plate recognition.
Violation type |
Police stops |
Licence plate recognition |
Alcohol and drugs |
Breath test, drug test and, possibly, breath analysis |
- |
Distraction |
Surveillance by vehicle |
In test phase: smart cameras to detect use of handheld smart phones |
Speed (point measurement) |
Laser gun |
Fixed camera (speed camera), mobile radar |
Speed (over a road section) |
Video vehicle |
Road section control |
Construction speed (moped/light moped) |
Roller test bench |
- |
Red light negation |
Surveillance by car or discreet surveillance |
Fixed camera (red light camera) |
Repeat traffic offenders |
Surveillance by vehicle (often by police motorcyclist or video car) |
- |
Table 1. Overview of the most common traffic enforcement methods in the Netherlands.