Bmw Traffic Camera Information: How Does It Work?

BMW Traffic Camera Information is an app that alerts drivers to fixed and mobile roadside speed checks and red light cameras. The app is available for purchase in the ConnectedDrive portal store and offers added safety, lower costs, and less stress while driving. The app provides visual warnings on the dashboard or in the head-up display, alerting drivers to upcoming traffic enforcement cameras and helping them to avoid unpleasant surprises and uncontrolled responses.

BMW Traffic Camera Information app

The BMW Traffic Camera Information app is an innovative tool designed to enhance your driving experience and safety. This app provides advanced warnings about upcoming speed cameras and red-light cameras, ensuring you're always informed and helping you avoid unpleasant surprises or uncontrolled responses while driving.

With this app, you'll receive alerts for both stationary and mobile speed cameras, as well as red-light cameras, through visual warnings displayed on your dashboard or the head-up display (HUD). These timely alerts will help you drive more carefully and attentively, reducing stress and the risk of unexpected costs.

The BMW Traffic Camera Information app is available for purchase through the ConnectedDrive portal store, offering a 15-month subscription for a reasonable fee. The app is easily accessible and provides valuable assistance, especially during road trips or when driving in unfamiliar areas.

Some users have reported issues with the purchase process, particularly with in-vehicle purchases and certain credit cards. However, these seem to be isolated cases, and BMW is actively working to resolve such problems.

The BMW Traffic Camera Information app is a valuable addition to your BMW's features, providing peace of mind and enhancing your overall driving experience. It ensures you're always aware of potential speed traps and red-light cameras, allowing you to focus on a safe and enjoyable journey.

Visual warnings on the dashboard

The BMW Traffic Camera Information app provides visual warnings on the dashboard or in the head-up display. These visual warnings are designed to be easily readable while driving, providing advanced safety, less stress, and lower costs for the driver. The warnings include alerts for mobile and stationary speed cameras, as well as red light cameras.

The visual warnings on the dashboard are prominent and provide a clear countdown to the traffic enforcement camera, with distance measurements in miles or feet. For example, a warning may state "Traffic enforcement type - Red Light Camera, 0.25mi then 1000ft, 800ft, 600ft, 400ft, 300ft, 200ft", depending on the driver's speed. This allows drivers to be well-informed and prepared for upcoming speed checks or red light cameras, reducing the likelihood of abrupt braking or uncontrolled responses.

The visual warnings are displayed conveniently on the dashboard screen or the head-up display, ensuring that drivers can keep their eyes on the road and maintain a safe driving posture. This feature is especially useful when driving in unfamiliar areas or during long-distance road trips, providing peace of mind and a safer driving experience.

The BMW Traffic Camera Information app is available for purchase through the ConnectedDrive portal store or the Connected drive store. It offers added safety and confidence while driving, ensuring that you are always informed of speed cameras and red-light cameras in advance. The app has been well-received by BMW drivers, who appreciate the advanced warning system and its contribution to a more relaxed and attentive driving experience.

Alerts about red-light cameras

Red light cameras are an effective way to prevent drivers from running red lights, which is a frequent and deadly roadway threat. They are usually installed at dangerous intersections or those with a higher percentage of crashes. These cameras are equipped with sensors installed in the road, which trigger the camera when a vehicle passes over the stop line and enters the intersection.

Red light cameras are not constantly taking pictures, but they do capture images and short videos of drivers who run red lights. They can also sometimes detect speeding violations. In some states, the cameras are prohibited from capturing the driver's face, instead recording the rear of the vehicle. However, other states may differ and allow the recording of the driver.

It is not always easy to identify a red light camera. In busy areas, fake cameras may be dispersed or rotated to prevent drivers from memorizing their locations. However, they are typically mounted above a traffic light or on a street pole facing the intersection. A controller box mounted on a street pole or a sign notifying drivers of photo enforcement may also be present.

To manage red light camera alerts, some apps and devices provide real-time reporting and alerts for upcoming red light cameras. These alerts can appear on a map or as a voice or screen notification. Users can usually customize their alert settings, including the option to turn off alerts.

Notifications about speed cameras

The availability of this function depends on local regulations and it is currently prohibited by law in some countries, including Germany. However, it is offered in a range of countries, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the USA.

While BMW offers this feature for purchase through its ConnectedDrive Store, some BMW users have expressed frustration with the lack of speed camera warnings in the BMW Connected App for Navigation. As a result, they have turned to third-party apps such as "RadarAll" and "Waze" to receive alerts about fixed speed cameras, red-light cameras, and point-to-point cameras. These apps can run in the background while the BMW Connected App is active and provide audio warnings, muting any music or radio playing in the car.

It is important to note that the legality of speed camera detection systems varies across the world. While they may be prohibited in certain countries or states, they can be extremely useful in others, helping drivers avoid speeding fines and improving overall road safety.

Cost and availability

BMW's Traffic Camera Information service is available as a three-month trial on select 2021 model year vehicles. At the end of the trial, owners can extend the service for 15 months for $25. The service is available for purchase through the BMW ConnectedDrive Store.

The Traffic Camera Information service is available for all BMWs with Live Cockpit Professional that have software version 7/2019 or more recent installed. To check if the service is available for your vehicle, you can enter your vehicle identification number on the BMW website or log in with your registered vehicle.

The service is currently available in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the USA. However, the availability of the function depends on local regulations and may change over time. For example, the service cannot be activated in Germany as its use is prohibited by law.

Frequently asked questions