Due to limited resources many states use speed enforcement cameras—also known as photo or video enforcement—to take a digital photograph or video of a vehicle (and its license plate) that violates the speed limit. The use of speed enforcement cameras to issue speeding tickets or citations (mailed to the driver) has been controversial, with claims that it violates Constitutional rights.

Laws vary from state to state and in some states speed enforcement cameras are a permitted enforcement tool; in some states they are prohibited; and in some states they are prohibited unless permitted by a local ordinance (city or town).

To measure the speed of a moving vehicle and issue speeding tickets by photo enforcement, police departments generally use photo or video radar that relies on radio signals and the Doppler Effect or photo and video LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology that relies on lasers rather than radio waves. These devices require training on their proper use and regular calibration to be accurate.

In Hawaii, the use of speed enforcement cameras, also known as photo or video enforcement, is currently permitted under state law. Hawaii has experimented with photo enforcement in the past and has passed legislation that allows for the use of such technology. The state utilizes these systems to capture digital photographs or videos of vehicles exceeding the speed limit, and citations are then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The implementation of these systems is designed to improve road safety by reducing speeding. However, the use of speed enforcement cameras has been met with some public opposition and legal challenges, with opponents questioning their constitutionality and fairness. It is important for the systems to be operated within the legal framework established by the state, which includes ensuring that the devices are properly calibrated and that operators are adequately trained. As with any enforcement tool, the use of speed enforcement cameras in Hawaii is subject to change based on legislative actions and court rulings.