For years, Philadelphia drivers knew one golden rule: Slow down on the Boulevard.
Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1) was the undisputed king of speed traps, generating millions in fines since 2020. But in late 2025, the crown passed to a new contender: Broad Street (Route 611).
With the new Broad Street cameras now fully active and issuing fines as of November 14, 2025, the game has changed. While the technology is the same, the risk is completely different.
Here is the ultimate breakdown of Roosevelt Blvd vs. Broad St—and why the new cameras are likely to catch you off guard.
The Critical Difference: 25 MPH vs. 45 MPH
The biggest trap isn’t the camera itself; it’s the speed limit.
- Roosevelt Boulevard: The speed limit varies between 40 MPH and 45 MPH. To get a ticket here (11 MPH over), you have to be driving 51-56 MPH. This usually requires conscious speeding.
- Broad Street: The speed limit is a strict 25 MPH for almost the entire length (except near the stadiums).
The Trap: On Broad Street, you will be ticketed if you hit 36 MPH.
This is the “gotcha” moment. 36 MPH feels like a normal cruising speed on a wide, four-lane road like North Broad. If you drive Broad Street the same way you drive the Boulevard, you will get a $100 ticket.
Fine Comparison: The “11 MPH” Rule
Both corridors operate under the same Pennsylvania state law (HB 1284), meaning the penalties are identical.
| Violation Speed | Roosevelt Blvd Fine | Broad St Fine | Points Added? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-19 MPH Over | $100 | $100 | No |
| 20-29 MPH Over | $125 | $125 | No |
| 30+ MPH Over | $150 | $150 | No |
Key Takeaway: Neither camera system adds points to your license. These are civil violations managed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), not moving violations from the police.
Where Are You Most Likely to Get Caught?
Roosevelt Boulevard (The “Solved” Problem) Believe it or not, the Boulevard is getting safer. Since cameras were installed in 2020, speeding violations have dropped by 95%. Most locals know exactly where the cameras are (Banks Way, Grant Ave, Red Lion Rd) and slow down instinctively.
Broad Street (The New “Hotspot”) Broad Street is currently the deadliest road in Philadelphia. Because the program is new, drivers haven’t learned the locations yet.
- Danger Zones: The cameras are clustered in North Philly (Old York Rd to Spring Garden) and South Philly (Washington Ave to the Stadiums).
** See the full map of every new Broad Street camera location here**
What’s Coming Next? Route 13.
If you think avoiding Broad and the Boulevard is enough, think again. The city has already approved speed cameras for Route 13 (Hunt Park/Frankford Ave), which will likely go live in 2026.
How to Avoid Both Traps
You can’t memorize every camera on Roosevelt Boulevard and Broad Street and the upcoming Route 13.
The smartest drivers don’t rely on memory. They rely on Ticketguard.
Ticketguard is free to use on your phone and automatically detects which road you are on. It knows the difference between the 45 MPH zone on the Boulevard and the 25 MPH trap on Broad Street, giving you a customized alert before you cross the line.
Related Philadelphia Driver Guides
- Got a ticket on Broad Street? Learn how to fight it: How to Fight a Philapark Speed Camera Ticket (and Win)
- Need the map? See the locations: Philadelphia Broad Street Speed Camera Locations: The 2026 Map
