Intensified Crackdown: Over 500 Infractions Reported on Day Two
The Speed Trap Marathon 2025: A Nationwide Crackdown on Speeding in Germany
From August 4 to August 10, 2025, Germany is hosting the Speed Trap Marathon, a key part of the nationwide "Speed Week" campaign. This week-long event sees intensive speed checks and camera controls being conducted across multiple federal states to combat speeding[1].
While specific participating federal states are not fully enumerated, it is reasonable to conclude that most or all German states are involved in these intensified speed checks, as it is a coordinated national effort by police forces[1].
Germany has a structured penalty system for speeding violations, which includes fines, points on the driver's license, and in severe cases, driving bans. The exact amounts vary based on how much the speed limit is exceeded and whether it occurs in urban or rural areas[1].
For example, minor speeding (up to 10 km/h over the limit) typically results in fines starting around €10-20. Moderate speeding (above 20 km/h over the limit) leads to fines ranging from €70 up to several hundred euros. Excessive speeding (e.g., 40 km/h or more above the limit) can lead to fines exceeding €500, points on the license, and potential driving bans[1].
During the Speed Trap Marathon, a Mercedes driver significantly exceeded the speed limit at 153 km/h on the A9 between the junctions Weißenfels and Naumburg. In urban areas, a 115 euro fine and one point are added for speeding violations between 21 and 25 km/h, and a one-month driving ban and a 180 euro fine are imposed for violations exceeding 26 km/h, if a similar violation was recorded within the past 12 months[1].
In Dessau-Roßlau, 6,028 vehicles were measured, 27 of which were driving too fast. On Tuesday, the second day of the control week "Speed II", even more speeding violations were detected, with 315 of them in the cities of Zeitz, Weißenfels, and Halle[2]. In Halle, more than 16,600 cars were checked, and 406 drivers were driving too fast, with one driver speeding at 162 km/h on the federal road B91 where only 100 km/h is allowed[2].
Outside urban areas, a 20 euro warning fine is issued for minor speeding violations of up to 10 km/h, and a 60 euro fine for violations between 16 and 20 km/h. Outside urban areas, a 100 euro fine and one point are added for speeding violations between 21 and 25 km/h, and a one-month driving ban and a 150 euro fine are imposed for violations exceeding 26 km/h, if a similar violation was recorded within the past 12 months[1].
The speed trap marathon is part of the European-wide control week "Roadpol". Excessive speed was a factor in 30% of fatal accidents in the previous year[2]. Minister Tamara Zieschang (CDU) stated that increased speed checks are an effective means of combating speeding[3].
However, it's important to note that the use of a speed trap app during the drive can result in a 75 euro fine and one point. The "phone blitzer", a device that will likely cost heavy fines for phone-using drivers in the future, is another reminder to prioritise safety on the roads[3].
The new fines catalogue in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Thuringia aims to fill municipal coffers with more money. In 2024, there were a total of 418 traffic accidents on the highway sections in southern Saxony-Anhalt that were attributed to speeding, making it the most common cause of accidents[4]. A kick against a mobile speed camera can result in a fine from the court[5].
In conclusion, the Speed Trap Marathon 2025 is a significant initiative in Germany's ongoing efforts to combat speeding and improve road safety. With fines, points, and driving bans on the line, it's clear that drivers need to be vigilant and adhere to speed limits.
In the context of Germany's nationwide anti-speeding campaign, it is also crucial to maintain law and order in spheres other than speeding, such as general-news matters and crime-and-justice. Moreover, just as the Speed Trap Marathon acknowledges the importance of sportsmanship in driving, the nation should similarly encourage sportsmanship and fair play in various sports activities to promote a safer and more harmonious society.
