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 New York, the use of speed enforcement cameras, particularly in school speed zones, is authorized under specific programs. New York City has an extensive speed camera program, which operates on school days and during certain hours, with the goal of improving traffic safety near schools. The cameras capture images of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by a certain threshold, and violations result in fines mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The use of these cameras is regulated by state law, which sets forth the parameters for their operation, including the hours of operation and the speed threshold for issuing tickets. The program has been subject to legislative changes and extensions, reflecting ongoing discussions about the balance between safety and privacy concerns. Outside of these specific programs, the use of speed cameras may not be as widespread, and local ordinances could further dictate their use. It's important to note that while speed cameras are used for enforcement, they do not result in points on a driver's license, unlike tickets issued directly by a police officer.