It's less about an orderly society and more about revenue generation from unsuspecting foreigners.

The vast majority of speed control is done by camera, using both radar and laser technology. Most of the cameras are fixed, and locals quickly learn where they're placed. These fixed cameras are supplemented by mobile speed patrols, where manned officers use portable cameras to snap your photo and speed. They're particularly fond of setting these traps just as you enter and just before you leave the country.

In most cases, the only way you'll know you've been caught is the tell-tale flash from the camera, although with the new infrared cameras, even that isn't so easy to spot. 2-3 weeks later (longer for foreigners, where there's more tracking down to do) you'll get a letter through the postbox with the bad news, and if the speed is high enough, a request for you to attend court and turn in your license.

One thing I've noticed since living in Switzerland is that people here really obey the limits. It's very rare to see a Swiss driver travelling much more than 10km beyond the speed limit -- most of the speed demons have foreign plates on their cars.

The drivers around Geneva have heavier feet than their counterparts in the German part of the country, and as a result the motorway coming out of Geneva is littered with speed cameras....