Cash Registers on our Roads: How Speeding Fines Fatten Town Budgets
Tax Revenues Throng into Local Governments During Economic Upswing - Municipal authorities are receiving substantial financial contributions from Temposubs.
Hey there! You know what's a sneaky little moneymaker for some towns? Speeding fines. Yep, you guessed it. Those times when you're in a hurry and can't seem to keep your foot off the gas pedal, you might just be unknowingly filling the municipal coffers. Even smaller cities are raking in millions thanks to a German Press Agency survey in Baden-Württemberg.
Some cities, like Karlsruhe and Reutlingen, are planning to beef up their speed camera squads this year. Ravensburg has announced an additional stationary red light and speed camera at an accident-prone hotspot by 2025. Meanwhile, cities like Stuttgart, Mannheim, Freiburg, Heidelberg, and Ulm seem content with their current monitoring setups for now.
Speaking of content, speeding can cost you big time. According to ADAC, fines start at just 30 euros for driving 10 km/h over the limit in built-up areas. But if you really put the pedal to the metal and zoom past that limit by more than 70 km/h, you're facing a whopping 800 euros and the loss of your license for three months, along with a nasty 2 points on your driving record. Fines are slightly cheaper outside of built-up areas, but still ain't exactly pocket change.
In 2021, Stuttgart raked in a cool 18 million euros in fines, while much smaller Ravensburg managed to snag around 1.2 million. It's unclear if this revenue is on the rise, but remember: it's not all profit. Costs for technology, additional expenses, and personnel have to be subtracted from that fine total.
Changes in revenue can be attributed to a variety of factors. In Ravensburg, outdated equipment has been removed, while new equipment has been installed in places like Freiburg. Deployment locations are often based on citizen reports of speeding, like in Karlsruhe. A lack of personnel for mobile speed cameras can lead to fluctuations in earnings, which aren't allocated for specific purposes.
Some cities, like Heidelberg, believe speed cameras contribute to road safety. Drivers apparently behave more cautiously where they see those flashy cameras. But let's not forget: speed isn't the only cause of accidents. A Mannheim spokesperson highlighted the fact that accidents can be caused by a whole host of factors, not just speeding.
Environmentally speaking, speed cameras may have a positive impact in terms of noise pollution. Slower speeds equal quieter streets and less noise-induced health issues for citizens. Opinions are divided on emissions, though: Heidelberg thinks lower speeds mean less pollution, while Stuttgart believes sudden braking and acceleration due to cameras can actually increase emissions.
One issue that plagues nearly all cities is vandalism. Some drivers, allegedly caught speeding or simply enraged by the cameras, take out their frustration by spray-painting or even destroying the cameras. In Mannheim, two camera installations were completely obscured by paint last year, while Ravensburg experienced a mobile device being kicked and run over, and Reutlingen had a device struck with a sharp object. Devices are often adorned with unsightly graffiti, too.
So, should you use radar detectors to avoid potential retaliation when caught speeding? Well, ADAC advises against it. Navigation devices that show speed cameras are also off-limits. Violating this rule can land you a 75 euro fine and a point on your driving record.
Crime on our highways isn't just limited to speeding, though. The Central Fine Office at the Karlsruhe Regional Council handles over a million cases annually, including offenses like passenger transport violations, air law breaches, heraldry and press law infractions, and more.
Sources:
- Speed Cameras: Environmental Impact and Effectiveness
- The Impact of Red-Light Cameras on Road Safety
- Speed Cameras: Revenue Generation or Road Safety
- Some cities in Germany, such as Stuttgart, have generated large sums through speeding fines, with a recorded income of 18 million euros in 2021 alone.
- In 2023, some cities like Karlsruhe and Reutlingen plan to enhance their speed camera squads, while others like Stuttgart, Mannheim, Freiburg, Heidelberg, and Ulm might maintain their current monitoring systems.
- To avoid potential fines, the use of radar detectors or navigation devices that show speed camera locations is discouraged, with penalties including a fine of 75 euros and the addition of a point on your driving record.
