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 Louisiana (LA), the use of speed enforcement cameras, also known as photo or video enforcement, is permitted under state law. These cameras can capture digital photographs or videos of vehicles violating speed limits and are often used in various municipalities to enforce traffic laws. The citations resulting from these cameras are typically mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. While there has been controversy surrounding their use, including concerns about constitutional rights, Louisiana allows their use within the framework of state statutes. The enforcement technology, which includes photo or video radar and LIDAR, requires operators to have proper training and the devices must undergo regular calibration to ensure accuracy. It's important to note that the specifics of how these cameras are used can vary by local ordinance, so the implementation might differ from one city or town to another within the state.