'Be Careful:' NYC Man Sees Ford Escape. Then He Notices It’s Actually a Mobile Speed Camera

After spotting a mobile speed camera, a New York City taxi driver is issuing a warning to fellow drivers.

Speed ticket cameras are typically stationary, often located in school or construction zones. However, speed ticket cameras have now gone mobile and are driving the streets.

In a TikTok that’s generated over 328,500 views as of this writing, Frustrated Cabbie (@frustratedtaxidriver) identifies one of these mobile speed ticket cameras out in the wild while driving down NYC streets. 

Be Careful Around White Ford Escapes

In the TikTok, Frustrated Cabbie captures a mobile speed ticket camera attached to a Ford Escape.

“So you see this vehicle here and that thing on top. That is the mobile speeding camera,” he begins.

The thing on top that appears to be a speeding camera is a white nub sticking up above the vehicle. The NYC taxi driver says that typically, mobile speeding cameras are on top of white vans. However, in this case, the alleged mobile speeding camera was on a white Ford Escape.

“That on top is the flash. They are usually city vehicles with a city employee inside. So be careful,” he advises.

He says the city is and will be tactical about where mobile speed ticket cameras operate.

“They will strategically place these vehicles on specific intersections especially near schools,” he shares. 

The taxi driver urges people to drive cautiously when they see white vans or Ford Escapes.

How Do People Feel About Speed Ticket Cameras?

Speed ticket cameras are very unpopular, but many believe they help ensure safe driving in areas like school zones.

Nevertheless, people who commented on the driver’s post were generally opposed to speed ticket cameras on vehicles or otherwise. Some went so far as to describe it as a cash grab by the city.

“It's not about crime. It's about what makes money,” one commented. 

“Money grab…Money grab….Money grab,” another said. 

“NYC wants to make sure driving becomes a luxury,” a third replied.

Others shared their frustrations about taxes and affordability.

“They doing everything except improve quality of living,” one complained.

“They'll do anything not to tax rich people,” said a second.

“NYC is strapped for cash. They’ll can’t raise taxes anymore to pay for all the free stuff they gave away,” a third seethed.

Gallery: 2023 Ford Escape

What’s The Deal With Mobile Speeding Cameras In NYC

In an effort to minimize traffic-related deaths in New York City, the city created NYC Vision Zero. 

This initiative was set up to make the streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in the streets of New York City. NYC Vision Zero believes every driver plays a part in saving lives and that this can be done by reducing speed throughout the city.

In September 2024, NYC announced that it will be using mobile speeding cameras to help protect construction workers in highway zones and also children in school zones.

“Mobile units that are typically mounted on a vehicle or trailer and cycled between locations to distribute enforcement efforts,” per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

According to the NHTSA, mobile speeding camera units may reduce fatal crashes and injuries by 20%.

While these speeding mobile cameras may feel like a cash grab to some, it’s working.

The NYC Department of Transportation announced traffic-related deaths reached a historic low for the first six months of this year. This represents a 32 percent drop in fatalities from last year.

So far in 2025, deaths among the following have gone down for drivers and passengers, e-bikes, pedestrians, and cyclists.

"The 32 percent drop in traffic fatalities that we have seen this year is historic," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. 

He continued to praise Vision Zero, “It's also further proof that our administration's Vision Zero efforts are working. Strong enforcement against reckless driving is keeping pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers safe, and our administration will continue using all tools available to drive down traffic violence and deliver results that keep New Yorkers safe on and off our streets."

Motor1 has contacted Frustrated Cabbie via TikTok direct message. This story will be updated if he replies.