Where Are Solar Speed Radar Signs Located?
Solar-powered speed radar signs — sometimes called “speed radar signs” — are becoming more common on U.S. roadways. These devices don’t issue tickets; instead, they detect a vehicle’s speed and flash a warning when a driver is exceeding the limit. They act as a visual reminder to slow down, rather than as an enforcement tool. At PhotoEnforced, we’re actively tracking the locations of these radar signs across the country and maintaining a public map. As of May 2020, we’ve cataloged 53 known speed radar signs and continue to add new ones based on submissions from our users and field observations.
What Are Solar Speed Radar Signs?
Unlike conventional speed cameras that generate tickets, solar radar signs are passive warning systems. Their main features:
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Solar-powered: They run off solar panels, so they’re self-sustaining and don’t require external wiring or grid power.
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Non-ticketing: They detect when you exceed the posted speed limit and flash a warning, but they don’t issue citations or capture your license plate for enforcement.
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Awareness tool: Their goal is to encourage safer driving behavior in sensitive or hazard-prone zones, such as near schools, parks, or residential streets.
Because they’re low-cost, easy to deploy, and non-intrusive in terms of power infrastructure, they are increasingly popular in areas where cities want to improve safety without installing full-fledged automated enforcement systems.
Why Track Their Locations?
Knowing where these radar signs are placed is useful for several reasons:
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Road safety awareness: Drivers who are aware of radar sign locations may slow down in those areas. That in turn helps reduce speed-related crashes or near-misses, especially in zones with higher pedestrian traffic.
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Community transparency: Since these signs are not enforcement devices (they don’t issue tickets), mapping them helps differentiate them from speed cameras. This clarity helps citizens understand what’s warning versus what’s enforcing.
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Data and planning: Municipalities, planners, and researchers can use the location data to analyze patterns: which roads tend to get these signs, how effective they are, and where future deployments might make sense.
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Public engagement: Because some of the deployments come from community or grassroots efforts, having a shared map allows civic-minded drivers to report signs, verify them, or question whether more are needed in their area.
Where You’ll Find Them
From our database and reports, radar signs tend to cluster in certain kinds of zones:
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School zones & around schools: Areas where children cross streets or walk frequently are high-priority locations for visual speed reminders.
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Parks, playgrounds, and recreation areas: When there’s pedestrian activity or relaxed street design, these zones often see radar signs.
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Residential neighborhoods: In streets with local traffic but speed issues, particularly those adjacent to schools or parks, radar signs are often used to calm traffic.
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Transition zones or gateways: At places where speed limits change—such as when entering a lower-speed residential or school zone—the radar signs act as a reminder as drivers transition from faster roads.
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Spots with crash history or safety concerns: Roads with a history of speeding crashes or near-misses may get radar signs as part of a “fix-it-first” safety approach.
Because the devices are solar powered and relatively simple, they’re well-suited for roads where traditional enforcement systems would be expensive or impractical.
How to Add a Radar Sign to the Map
If you spot a solar radar sign and it’s not yet on the PhotoEnforced map, you can submit a location. Typically, you’ll need:
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A photo of the sign (to confirm it’s indeed a radar sign and not an enforcement camera).
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The address, intersection, or GPS coordinates.
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Any additional notes (e.g. speed limit posted, direction of travel, nearby school or park).
These crowd-sourced submissions help expand the map’s coverage and accuracy. Over time, as more people contribute, the database becomes more robust and useful for all.
Current Count & Map
As of May 2020, we’ve logged 53 solar radar signs. The map is publicly available and updated as new signs are verified and added. We encourage readers to contribute signs they’ve encountered. To explore current entries or add a sign yourself, you can use the PhotoEnforced “Add Speed Radar” submission tool and browse the interactive map. The map includes icons for each sign, letting users see where they are scattered across different states and regions. The map is not static — it’s updated regularly as contributors submit new locations or validate existing ones.
Why They Are Increasing in Use
Several advantages make solar radar signs appealing for communities and transportation departments:
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Lower cost and easier deployment: Because there’s no wiring or grid connection, solar radar signs can be installed more cheaply and flexibly than full enforcement cameras.
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Reduced controversy: Since they don’t issue tickets, these signs are less contentious from a policy or legal standpoint. They are more readily accepted by communities wary of automated enforcement.
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Behavioral impact with less intrusion: Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that visual feedback—“you’re driving too fast” flashing signs—can lead to voluntary speed reduction, especially in familiar areas.
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Scalable & modular: You can place them in many locations (e.g. school zones, side streets) without committing to more complex camera systems.
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Public relations & safety image: For local governments, installing radar signs is often seen as a safety-friendly move, signaling to constituents that authorities care about local road speed and pedestrian safety.
Limitations & Considerations
Despite their benefits, there are a few caveats:
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Effect may wear off: Over time, drivers may habituate to the signs and stop reacting to the flashing when exceeding the speed limit.
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No enforcement power: Because they don’t capture license plates or issue fines, their effect relies entirely on voluntary compliance.
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Placement matters: If a sign is off to the side, hidden by foliage, or not well aligned with the roadway, drivers may not see it in time for the visual cue to be meaningful.
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Not a substitute for enforcement in high-risk areas: In zones with chronic speeding or dangerous crash histories, stronger enforcement tools may still be needed in conjunction with radar signs.
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Maintenance & calibration: Even though they are simpler than cameras, radar signs need upkeep — solar panels need cleaning, the equipment must be calibrated, and the electronics must be protected from tampering or vandalism.
What You Can Do as a Driver or Citizen
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Learn where they’re located: Use the interactive map to see whether any radar signs are near your home, school, or commute path.
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Help expand the map: If you see a new sign, submit it — a photo, location, and some details go a long way.
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Drive more mindfully: The presence of a flashing radar sign is an indicator: you’re in a zone where speed is a concern, so slow down and be alert to pedestrians, intersections, or children.
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Advocate locally: If your community lacks radar signs in high-risk corridors, you can suggest them to your transportation or public works departments as low-cost safety tools.
