601 speeding violations recorded on landslide-damaged A33 motorway stretch
A hazardous stretch of the A33 motorway near Borgholzhausen has seen a sharp rise in speeding offences. Police carried out checks between 3:45 PM and 8:30 PM, catching hundreds of drivers breaking the reduced speed limit. The restrictions were put in place after a landslide forced authorities to lower the limit from 120 km/h to 80 km/h.
During the operation, officers recorded 601 violations, with 49 classified as minor and 552 as serious. Two motorists were caught driving at 162 km/h—more than double the allowed speed. Each now faces a fine of around €700, two penalty points, and a driving ban of at least three months.
In total, 69 drivers were handed bans ranging from one to three months. Authorities warned that intentional violations could lead to doubled fines and even longer suspensions. The checks were introduced after a landslide made the section unsafe, mirroring similar incidents in North Rhine-Westphalia over the past five years. Between 2021 and 2025, the region saw around 12 major landslides affecting motorways, including prolonged closures on the A1 near Remscheid and the A45 near Lüdenscheid. These events often led to months of disruption for drivers.
The crackdown highlights the risks of speeding in hazard zones. Drivers caught breaking the rules now face heavy penalties, including fines, points, and lengthy bans. The reduced speed limit on the A33 remains in place as authorities assess the landslide damage.
