Up to speed: Monitoring speed on the German Autobahn

DW (English)

Can you really drive as fast as you want on Germany’s autobahn? Our reporter Meggin Leigh went on patrol with the autobahn police.

Transcript

00:00How fast is he going?

00:07I'm right here.

00:08What's the problem?

00:10Problem?

00:11I bet you think that the German Autobahn doesn't have a speed limit.

00:15Well, you'd better think again because these officers are out today to catch speeders and derelict drivers.

00:22Today I'm on patrol with a state police unit responsible for monitoring a 400-kilometer measured stretch

00:29of the Autobahn near Nuremberg in northern Bavaria.

00:33These officers monitor parts of the highway where there are speed limits to ensure safety.

00:39Germany produced some of the fastest cars in the world.

00:43So what you're doing now, trying to control the speed, isn't it like trying to tame a beast?

00:50Sometimes it's difficult for the police to properly make people understand

00:56that we see speeding in Germany as very dangerous.

01:02In my experience, regular cars tend to drive significantly faster than the speed limit.

01:12Around 30% of Germany's Autobahn network actually does have a speed limit, and it's not optional.

01:20You were going 152 in a 120 zone.

01:23We made a speeding control with a video, and you were much too fast.

01:29Speeding fines for cars on the Autobahn start at 20 euros for exceeding the limit by up to 10 kilometers per hour.

01:36You can lose your license if the speed limits are exceeded by more than 40 kilometers per hour.

01:42Fines for trucks are higher.

01:48The officers use this undercover car when monitoring speed.

01:52It's equipped with an advanced in-car surveillance system known as ProVita, or proof video data.

01:58Recording starts once the speeder maintains their speed, at which point the officers begin documenting evidence.

02:04Oh, we're nearly at 120.

02:10How long do you have to drive behind them in order to get them?

02:13We have to follow them for at least 300 meters.

02:17100.

02:20We need to cover 300 meters.

02:24The car we were following slowed down to the speed limit before the 300 meters were up.

02:29Other methods for catching speeders include an enforcement trailer.

02:38This is a mobile, high-tech laser device designed to autonomously enforce speed limits.

02:44These wonderful machines are called Blitzer here in Germany, and basically what they are are cameras.

02:50So, how many Blitzer are there in Germany?

02:53Countless.

02:54An enormous number of speed cameras mean you must always expect them everywhere.

02:58This measuring device can cover up to four lanes.

03:01Here you can see which objects and vehicles it detects, and which lane the vehicle is in.

03:07They're all slowing down.

03:11It's because they see us.

03:19Enforcement teams also work in groups to monitor and control speed, as well as issue fines on the spot.

03:26Drive carefully, everyone. Be safe.

03:29So, as you can see, we're being joined by a bigger team.

03:32We're setting up speed traps on the Autobahn to catch even more speeders.

03:37Officers Pfeiffer and Ortl received radio information from the enforcement team about a speeder.

03:44So, we're off again at full throttle.

03:47They intercept the speeding vehicle and guide it to a collection post to issue the fine.

04:00100 kilometers per hour is allowed. You were going at 120. The fine is 88.50.

04:12Now? Now.

04:15Well, that certainly was enough excitement to last me the rest of the year.

04:24What did I learn today? Speeding in Germany will burn a hole in your wallet, so it's best to stay in the slow lane.

04:30Cool.

04:31All right.

04:33That's great.

Category

Transcript

Recommended