This new radar “is hidden” behind a tree in Toulouse, the mayor asks that it be moved

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It is an urban radar which flashes speeding in both directions of traffic on Avenue Georges Pompidou in Toulousethis major artery which links Jolimont and Marengo.

Positioned at number 21 of the avenue, it was installed in spring 2024 like around twenty other urban radars of this type throughout the town.

A radar installed on a pole, “hidden” behind a tree, some motorists will say (it is nevertheless more visible in winter when the tree no longer has any leaves, editor’s note), and indicated by a small sign a few meters before.

The mayor of Toulouse asks to move it

In the testing phase until now, this radar is now operational. In short, it fines motorists, scooters, etc.

Except that the location of the radar raises questions and the discretion of the machine questions even the mayor of Toulouse, Jean-Luc Moudenc, who wrote to the prefect of Haute-Garonne, Pierre-André Durand, to ask him to move this equipment “to a more suitable site”.

“Hidden behind the trees, it is perceived as a trap”

In his letter dated December 10, the mayor indicated to the prefect “that the positioning of this radar is not appropriate”. He clarifies his thoughts:

“Indeed, the latter surprises motorists because the slope naturally increases the speed. Furthermore, it is hidden behind trees and this is seen as a trap by motorists. Finally, it is not located at an intersection and pedestrian crossings are therefore not, in this configuration, a source of insecurity. It would therefore be appropriate to move it to another more suitable site.”

24 urban radars installed

In Haute-Garonne, there are 24 radars of this type attached to street furniture, such as on street lights, or on dedicated masts, and which have a cabin equipped with “a movable means of control”, explained the prefect of Haute-Garonne, early 2024.

Among these radars, three control speed on axes now limited to 30 km/h since the start of 2024. Here too, the mayor is asking that these three radars be moved to axes where the authorized speed is limited to 50 km/h.

How were the locations chosen?

As a reminder, the locations of these radars were determined “taking into account accident rates, traffic data (road and pedestrian flows), violations noted, but also the proximity of other radars already installed”, detailed the prefecture in early 2024.

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