Traffic violation cameras vs regular security cameras: What sets them apart

Tien Minh from Hanoi was surprised to receive a speeding ticket after driving on the Phap Van–Cau Gie Expressway in Phu Xuyen District, southern Hanoi.

"I have traveled this road for nearly a decade. I have exceeded the speed limit a few times but was never fined," he said. "I thought the cameras were only for general surveillance. It was past 11 p.m., so I assumed they could not detect anything."

Minh’s car was caught at a transition point between two speed zones, 120 kph and 100 kph, where many drivers tend to overlook signage. The camera at that location was equipped with high-end radar and flash lighting capable of tracking vehicles traveling up to 300 kph.

According to Vu Manh Gioi, business development manager at tech firm Dahua Vietnam, traffic cameras differ from standard security cameras in both hardware and software.

They are typically larger and more sophisticated, especially those installed on modern expressways. However, in some cases, smaller cameras from older systems may still be used if they meet required technical standards.

Traffic cameras are often part of smart monitoring networks connected to central servers that enable automatic violation detection and traffic analysis.

Hardware and design distinctions

While standard outdoor surveillance cameras are usually small and cylindrical, mounted under rooftops or on walls to cover specific spots, traffic cameras are box-shaped and mounted on poles with extended arms to oversee multiple lanes. They are generally three to six times larger than typical indoor cameras.

Traffic cameras on a street in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Son

Highway cameras are even bigger due to their need for long-range optics, allowing them to detect violations from kilometers away. Most include built-in or adjacent flash lighting and are built to withstand extreme weather better than regular surveillance models.

Advanced speed cameras use radar and can detect speeds up to 300 kph. These units are cube-shaped, with radar modules positioned between the lenses.

They also feature high-resolution sensors (usually Full HD or above) and high frame rates to reduce motion blur, enabling accurate plate recognition from long distances. Many models include infrared capability for nighttime use.

Some newer systems can even capture images through windshields to check if drivers are wearing seatbelts, using phones, or appearing distracted. In contrast, older models with lower resolution often struggle to capture license plates clearly, especially in poor lighting conditions.

AI and automated detection

Modern traffic cameras integrate artificial intelligence to recognize license plates and detect violations such as red-light running, wrong-way driving, lane encroachment, and failure to wear helmets. These systems can be customized based on specific traffic scenarios.

AI-powered systems can analyze vehicle data including speed, color, type, and even brand logos. While older cameras can still be used, their footage often needs to be processed by AI servers for effective analysis. In some cases, traffic cameras are linked to traffic lights to synchronize data and improve detection accuracy.

Low-resolution systems, however, often struggle to deliver reliable results, particularly at night or in complex traffic conditions.

Speed cameras vs violation detection cameras

There are two common types of traffic cameras: speed cameras and those used to issue delayed fines based on recorded violations.

Most newly installed traffic cameras are capable of detecting multiple types of offenses. Whether drivers are fined depends on how authorities use the collected data.

Brands such as Hikvision and Dahua produce systems capable of identifying common urban infractions including red-light violations, wrong-way driving, lane violations, and riding without helmets. These systems are part of broader smart city initiatives being rolled out in Vietnam.

While many cameras can monitor general traffic activity, speed-detection models require higher specifications. Urban units typically monitor speeds below 80 kph. In contrast, expressway systems use high-end cameras with integrated radar, intelligent traffic control, and LED lighting to capture vehicles traveling at up to 300 kph.