Police use aerial footage to measure speeds

Introduced earlier this year, the technology targets roads where dangerous driving has been reported. Officers analyse aerial footage to calculate vehicle speeds and identify traffic offences. The initiative offers an additional enforcement method, particularly along mountain roads where speeding is a concern.

St Gallen police have conducted six drone operations this year, identifying two speeding offences. The technology calculates average vehicle speeds by measuring the distance travelled over time using recorded footage.

Authorities recently demonstrated the system on the Hulftegg mountain pass, connecting Toggenburg with Zurich’s Tösstal valley. The drones are deployed selectively on roads associated with speeding offences.