Speed camera on the Brenner motorway records 177,000 speed violations: Germans escape punishment with a trick
A speed camera on the Brenner motorway in Tyrol, Austria, recorded a record 177,000 drivers over the past year and a half. The large number of fines is linked to the renovation of the Schönberg exhibition, where speed limits of 40 and 60 km/h were imposed.
German drivers make up a large percentage of those who refuse to pay fines, creating difficulties in enforcement. Austria applies owner liability, while Germany uses driver liability, making it difficult for authorities to prove who was driving the car at the time of the offense.
Other speed cameras in Tyrol, such as the Fronehosen area, record about 10,000 violations monthly. The roads leading from Innsbruck to Fern Pass and Bavaria are popular among migrants and vacationers, who often exceed the speed limits.
To address enforcement issues, the Tyrol state government proposes digital solutions. QR codes on fines could provide direct access to images from speed cameras, facilitating procedures and reducing delays, although federal legal amendments are still required.
Authorities emphasize the importance of speed limits for safety, protecting workers at construction and emergency sites, reducing noise, and improving quality of life on the roads. In Germany, the rules regarding photographic evidence vary, and fines can be contested if the driver is not clearly visible in the picture.