The UK has 900 more speed cameras than the USA and the fourth highest of any country, according to new research from Redex. 

With some 7,000 speed cameras in the UK, only Brazil (18,206), Italy (10,551) and Russia (10,525) have more, while there are just 3,340 in France.

Highest number of known speed cameras

Country	Red light camera	Speed camera (Gatso)	Dual Red Light/Speed	Section Control (SPECS)	other	total
Brazil	1 164	14 015	3 002	8	17	18,206
Italy	1 878	7 875	184	560	54	10,551
Russia	1 248	6 775	136	1 805	561	10,525
UK	780	3 982	216	1 959	5	6,942
USA	4 304	1 567	161	-	9	6,041
Germany	459	3 804	362	2	26	4,653
France	720	2 356	57	204	3	3,340
United Arab Emirates	436	2 046	236	-	-	2,718
Belgium	31	877	1 000	762	2	2,672

Source: SCDB

Looking at global speed limits for motorways and roads in rural and urban areas, Redex reports that in the US, some states allow vehicles to travel up to 75mph (120kph) in urban areas – 5 mph more than the legal limit on motorways in the UK.

The UK maximum for urban areas is typically 30-40mph depending on the type of road, with some roads around schools employing a 20mph speed limit.

Bahrain and Nepal employ the next highest speed limits in urban areas, both having a 50mph (80.47 kph) maximum.

Highest speed limits in urban areas

Country	Urban KPH	Urban MPH
USA	120	75
Bahrain	80	50
Nepal	80	50
Uzbekistan	70	44
Somalia	65	40
Zimbabwe	60	37
Côte d'Ivoire	60	37
Cameroon	60	37
Mali	60	37
Tanzania	60	37

On motorways, the USA imposes a 70mph speed limit, which is significantly lower than some countries.

Indeed, four countries – including Germany with its autobahns – do not enforce any speed limit on motorways, while others, including Iraq, Bulgaria and the UAE have an 87mph (140kph) motorway limit.

Highest motorway speed limits

Country	Motorway KPH	Motorway MPH
Angola	N/A	No Limit
Germany	N/A	No Limit
Pakistan	N/A	No Limit
Andorra	N/A	No Limit
Nepal	N/A	No Limit
Bahamas	N/A	No Limit
United Arab Emirates	140	87
Iraq	140	87
Bulgaria	140	87

In terms of the lowest motorway speed limits, the fastest you can travel in Bhutan is 31mph (50kph) and in Bangladesh, Bolivia and Fiji it is 50mph (80kph).

Lowest motorway speed limits

Country	Motorway KPH	Motorway MPH
Bhutan	50	31
Gibraltar	50	31
Papua New Guinea	75	47
Bangladesh	80	50
Cayman Islands	80	50
Aruba	80	50
Barados	80	50
Bolivia	80	50
Honduras	80	50
Fiji	80	50

Meanwhile, the maximum on rural roads in Bangladesh is 19mph (30kph), dropping to 16mph (25kph) in urban areas. In the Cayman Islands, rural roads employ a speed limit of 25mph (40kph) and 19mph (30kph) in built-up areas.

Lowest speed limit in rural areas

Country	Rural KPH	Rural MPH
Bangladesh	30	19
Cayman Islands	40	25
Bhutan	50	31
Haiti	50	31
Gibraltar	50	31
Aruba	60	37
Barados	60	37
Kiribati	60	37
Liberia	60	37
North Korea	60	37

The Redex research suggests that there are at least some 91,000-plus known speed cameras around the world. It says that recent speed camera data, from the Speed Camera Data Base (SCDB) https://www.scdb.info/en/stats/ , suggests that there are around 59,825 known and active speed traps globally, 3,990 of which are in the UK.

However, Redex says that does not include variable speed limit cameras on motorways, red light cameras, and other traffic control cameras – of which there are estimated to be roughly 31,000 around the world.

Redex said: “Whatever your view on speed cameras, their presence almost certainly contributes to the safety of our roads.

“Here in Britain, we’re fortunate to have the safest roads of any country in Europe, and the prevalence of speed cameras and tough penalties for speeding have a part to play in maintaining road safety.”

Redex is a developer of fuel additives and system cleaners.