Flock surveillance cameras can pose a crash risk for drivers, US experts say

Key Points:

• Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, widely deployed across the US, have been criticized not only for privacy concerns but also for posing physical roadside hazards due to improper installation.
• Many Flock camera poles lack breakaway plates, a safety feature designed to reduce impact during collisions, and are installed closer to roadsides than state regulations permit, increasing the risk to motorists.
• Safety advocate Steve Eimers highlights that these poles often fail to meet federal and state crashworthiness standards, with many lacking proper inspection or reflective surfaces, making them difficult for drivers to see, especially at night.
• While Flock and associated police departments defend the cameras as effective crime-fighting tools and claim compliance with local regulations, independent reviews suggest widespread non-compliance with roadside safety requirements.
• Other ALPR companies also reportedly fail to adhere to safety standards, particularly in suburban and rural areas where cameras are mounted on standalone poles, increasing the potential for severe accidents involving vehicles leaving the roadway.