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 North Dakota, the use of speed enforcement cameras is not permitted. The state has specific legislation that prohibits the use of automated traffic enforcement systems to detect or record traffic violations, including speeding. This means that law enforcement officers in North Dakota must rely on traditional methods of speed detection, such as radar or LIDAR guns, and must be physically present to issue a citation for a speeding violation. The prohibition of speed cameras ensures that tickets are issued directly by an officer, which addresses some of the constitutional concerns raised by automated enforcement methods. However, this also means that North Dakota does not benefit from the potential traffic safety improvements that automated speed enforcement systems can provide in areas where they are legally and effectively used.