Are police hindering the operation of 26 speed cameras in Budapest?

Gergely Karácsony, the Mayor of Budapest, recently announced the installation of 45 new speed cameras across the city. He stated that, following a testing period, these cameras would be able to penalise drivers exceeding the speed limit. However, the cameras are not yet operational, and it appears that this delay is not the fault of the city authorities.

Horrific accident leads to speed camera installations

Karácsony, who does not hold a driving licence, is frequently criticised by government-aligned media for this fact. They argue that his lack of driving experience disqualifies him from introducing speed limits or making decisions regarding traffic management. However, Karácsony has explained that he chose not to obtain a licence due to personal reasons: his father died in a car accident when he was six years old. This tragedy has motivated him to reduce the number of fatal traffic accidents in Budapest, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero fatalities – a goal previously shared by his predecessor, István Tarlós of Fidesz.

On 1st July 2023, a devastating accident occurred on Árpád Bridge, where a car struck a cyclist and then collided with another vehicle. Several people were injured, and the cyclist later died in hospital. Police believe the crash was caused by an impromptu street race. In response, Karácsony announced the installation of 45 speed cameras across various roads in Budapest, including those in outer districts such as Csepel’s Weiss Manfréd Street. We reported on this measure in THIS article.