From 7 to 13 April 2025, ROADPOL, the European road policing network, will conduct its first pan-European speed operation of the year, culminating in a 24-hour Speed Marathon on Wednesday 9 April.

The Speed Marathon is the largest synchronised, organised, and comprehensive speed enforcement action in the world. The event now involves traffic police forces from more than 20 European countries and mobilises tens of thousands of officers to enforce national speed limits using direct intervention and automated enforcement technologies.

During last year's speed marathon, more than 150,000 speeding offences were recorded in just 24 hours, and a large number of drivers were stopped, fined, and made aware of the dangers of speeding. Thousands of driving licences were suspended for speeding, underlining the continuing seriousness of this offence.

Citizens suggest focus on dangerous locations

For 2025, the operation goes even further in terms of community involvement. In the Czech Republic and Estonia, citizens have been invited to participate by nominating places where speeding is a recurring problem. In the Czech Republic, a popular road safety portal allows the public to suggest dangerous locations, particularly near schools, busy junctions or low-visibility areas, to help the police focus their checks on high-risk areas.

France, Serbia, Hungary, Ireland, Croatia, and Luxembourg are also among the countries that survey public opinion when selecting checkpoints.

The risks of speeding

Speeding remains the leading cause of fatal road collisions in Europe. According to recent figures, more than 25,000 road deaths occur each year in Europe, and excessive speed is a key factor in many of these cases.

During the operation, officers will be deployed at strategic points in the participating countries, using radar, laser guns, and video-equipped patrol cars. In addition, thousands of fixed speed cameras and automatic control systems will be used.

In 2023, more than 3 million vehicles were checked at over 10,000 checkpoints during the Speed Marathon. In many cases, the police chose the checkpoints based on suggestions from the public, a trend that is set to increase in 2025.

Operation ROADPOL Speed represents a unified European effort to combat speeding, a threat that transcends borders. With more than 150,000 officers involved, the Speed Marathon sends out a strong message: speeding is not tolerated and road safety is a shared responsibility.