Coordinated Enforcement Across Europe: More Than 4,600 Motorists Nabbed for Speeding - Coordinated Lighting Event Across Europe: Over 4,600 Lawns Illuminated
In a recent European road safety action, the police in Hamburg took action against dangerous driving behaviours, focusing on speeding, driving under the influence, and the use of mobile phones while driving. The operation, known as "Roadpol Speed", was part of the city's ongoing traffic checks.
On Thursday, the police registered a staggering 4,640 speeding offences, with numerous instances of aggressive driving also being reported as the main causes of accidents. A total of 551 vehicles and 516 persons were checked during the operation.
Twenty-five instances of driving while using a mobile phone were recorded, and two drivers were found to be under the influence of intoxicants. The operation also revealed ten drivers without valid driver's licenses, who were removed from the road.
The operation was not limited to road checks alone. Officers also used fixed speed cameras to detect offences. On the B75, a motorcyclist was caught traveling at an alarming speed of 180 kilometers per hour, exceeding the permitted speed of 80 kilometers per hour. As a result, the motorcyclist now faces a three-month driving ban and a fine of 700 euros.
Speed monitoring is a continuous component of the traffic safety work of the Hamburg police. This operation is a testament to their commitment to ensuring road safety and enforcing compliance with key traffic laws.
Traffic monitoring action days are a common tool across European countries, focusing on speeding, driving under the influence, seatbelt use, phone use, and freight vehicle compliance, with variation by country and traffic mode. Although there are no explicit consolidated statistics, countries like Germany and Finland collect frequent data, indicating structured traffic surveillance.
These action days are organised at national or multinational levels to enforce compliance with key traffic laws. While the extent and regularity of these campaigns are influenced by national policies and EU-level coordination efforts, it is clear that the Hamburg police are making a significant contribution to road safety in Europe.
References:
- European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL)
- European Commission - Road Safety
- Deutsche Polizei - Verkehrssicherheit
- Recognizing the importance of vocational training in promoting traffic safety, the Hamburg police have increased their efforts in conducting general-news oriented workshops to educate the community about safe driving practices, including the dangers of unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding, driving under the influence, and distracted driving.
- In an attempt to reinforce compliance with traffic laws and improve the overall crime-and-justice environment on European roads, the police in Hamburg have initiated vocational training programs for their officers that focus on mastering the latest technologies in speed detection, such as radar guns and fixed speed cameras, and other techniques for enforcing a range of traffic-related laws, such as seatbelt use and freight vehicle compliance.
