Shenzhen police deploy cameras to target 'snail-pace' drivers

A road sign marks the start of a average-speed camera zone.

Traffic authorities in Shenzhen have begun using upgraded speed enforcement cameras to detect and penalize vehicles traveling significantly below minimum speed limits, in a move aimed at improving road safety and traffic efficiency.

The Shenzhen traffic police said the newly enhanced devices, already deployed along major expressways including the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway, Qingshuihe-Pinghu Expressway and Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, are capable of identifying vehicles that are moving at abnormally low speeds without valid reason.

While speeding has long been recognized as a leading cause of traffic accidents, authorities warned that excessively slow driving — often overlooked — can pose comparable risks, particularly on high-speed roads.

“When a vehicle travels far below the expected speed on highways, it disrupts traffic flow and increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions,” the police said. “In severe cases, it may trigger multi-vehicle pileups.”

Officials noted that some instances of slow driving are linked to distracted behavior, such as motorists using mobile phones behind the wheel, which can both reduce speed and heighten accident risks.

Under China’s road traffic regulations, drivers who operate vehicles below the minimum speed limit on expressways can receive a penalty of three demerit points on their licenses.

Authorities said they will continue to enhance enforcement through a combination of fixed cameras, road patrols and drone surveillance to identify violations such as slow driving and distracted driving in real time.

Traffic police urged motorists to remain attentive, avoid distractions and maintain appropriate speeds, warning against the misconception that “slower always means safer.”

The list of monitored routes: