What is the primary purpose of speed detection?

The primary purpose of speed detection is to ensure the safety of people and property. By monitoring vehicle speeds, law enforcement can identify dangerous driving behaviors that increase the risk of accidents. Excessive speeding contributes significantly to traffic incidents, which can lead to injuries and fatalities. Effective speed detection allows authorities to intervene in situations where drivers exceed safe speed limits, ultimately reducing the likelihood of collisions and enhancing the overall safety of roadways for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

The other options, while they may relate to speed detection, do not encapsulate its main objective as comprehensively as the importance of safety. Monitoring traffic flow is more about observing patterns and could be seen as a secondary outcome. Enforcing traffic laws is indeed a function of speed detection, but it serves the broader goal of maintaining safety rather than being the primary aim itself. Finally, collecting data for city planning is a relevant application but does not directly address the immediate concern for safety on the roads. Thus, safety stands out as the foundational reason for employing speed detection measures.