Discover Which Vehicles Are Most Commonly Used as Radar Cars!

Every year in France, speeding is the leading cause of road infractions. To enhance monitoring, the government heavily relies on the “Dexter” program, which outsources radar cars to private companies. The setup is straightforward: drivers employed by private firms operate nondescript vehicles, blending seamlessly with regular traffic. These vehicles automatically measure the speed of passing or oncoming cars without any input from the driver. This system is implemented under the guise of road safety to ensure continuous adherence to speed limits (24/7) and promote constant vigilance.

However, these so-called “ghost” cars are not entirely undetectable to observant drivers. They are equipped with a large black box (the infrared flash) visible on the dashboard, a black opaque rectangle at the rear window (for night shots), and distinctive front license plates.

According to the specialized websites Radar-Prive.fr and Radars-Auto.com, the government operates about 250 vehicles outsourced to private companies. Notable models officially recorded in use include the Citroën C5 Aircross, the predominant model with over 80 units in operation. The Ford Mondeo (fourth generation) is also widely used across various departments, as are the Volkswagen Golf (mainly the seventh generation), the Peugeot 308 (second generation, both sedan and SW estate), the Ford Focus (third and fourth generations), and the Volkswagen Passat (seventh and eighth generations). Drivers have also noted the presence of the Seat Leon (third generation) and the Skoda Octavia (third generation, both sedan and estate). The Peugeot 508, serving as an unmarked highway sedan, mainly patrols major roads and expressways.

The Citroën Berlingo (second generation) was one of the first leisure activity vehicles used as radar cars. Although it has been almost entirely replaced by the new C5 Aircross, the last remaining models are completing their final miles on the roads. Additionally, other less common or older models, some inherited from police and gendarmerie fleets, are also in use, such as the Renault Mégane, the Citroën Berlingo, and the Peugeot 208.

To drive with peace of mind, the best advice remains to strictly adhere to speed limits or use legal driving aid apps (like Coyote or Waze), which, while prohibited from pinpointing the exact location of a moving mobile radar, effectively signal “temporary control zones” reported by the community.