Fine of up to 80 euros: drivers should avoid this maneuver
In heavy traffic within cities, mistakes are often inevitable, but violations can occur even after the car is parked. One unexpected example is closing the car door too loudly. What may seem innocuous can lead to a fine if it disturbs others.
Traffic laws in Germany aim to reduce both air pollution and noise. According to Article 30 of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), drivers are prohibited from causing unnecessary noise or emissions. This includes running engines unnecessarily, reckless driving in residential areas, and even slamming car doors excessively. Those who violate these rules can face fines of up to 80 euros.
And although this may seem very strict, the reason is practical: reducing unnecessary noise makes cities more livable, especially on Sundays and public holidays when people expect peace. This law has also proven useful in legal cases. In 2018, the administrative court in Karlsruhe upheld restrictions against what is known as 'car cruisers', citing Article 30 as the legal basis for banning disturbing noise.
To enhance law enforcement, some cities are testing noise detection systems. Noise cameras, such as the French-made device "Hydra", measure the sound level emitted by passing vehicles. One has already been installed in Berlin on Kurfürstendamm street as part of a pilot project in collaboration with the Technical University of Berlin.
Currently, fines are not imposed based on these cameras due to data protection issues, but authorities see great potential for the future. If adopted, these systems could automatically record and penalize excessive noise emitted by vehicles — and perhaps even extreme individual cases like slamming doors too loudly. The long-term goal is to reduce noise pollution in cities and improve the quality of life for residents.