German Police Conduct Nationwide Speed Enforcement Campaign

German police are currently conducting a large-scale speed enforcement operation known as the "Blitzermarathon" or "Speed Week" across eight states, with the main day of action taking place on Friday, April 19, 2024. The coordinated campaign aims to combat speeding, which remains a leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities in Germany.

Bavaria, one of the participating states, has deployed over 2,000 police officers and municipal staff at around 1,500 checkpoints to monitor and enforce speed limits. Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria's Interior Minister, emphasized the importance of the operation, stating that 125 people were killed in speed-related accidents in the state last year alone. The locations of the checkpoints in Bavaria were published in advance, with many set up near schools, kindergartens, and areas with a history of accidents.

Other states, such as Thuringia, are also actively participating in the Blitzermarathon. Thuringia is operating 107 measuring points with 300 officers to ensure drivers adhere to the posted speed limits. The campaign, which originated in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2012, has since expanded to other European countries as part of the "Roadpol Operation Speed," a joint effort to improve road safety across the EU.

Why this matters: The Blitzermarathon highlights the ongoing efforts by German authorities to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities caused by speeding. By raising awareness and enforcing speed limits, the campaign aims to encourage safer driving habits and ultimately save lives on German roads.

Despite prior warnings about the speed enforcement campaign, many drivers continue to exceed the speed limits, resulting in fines and penalties. In 2023, around 13,000 speeding violations were recorded in Baden-Württemberg, while Bavaria reported 8,690 incidents during the previous year's Blitzermarathon. Drivers should also be aware of a recent court ruling that prohibits the use of speed camera warning apps, even by passengers, and the significant increase in penalties for speeding violations.

The Blitzermarathon 2024 will continue until April 21, with police officers deployed from early morning to late night, particularly at accident hotspots and dangerous areas. While some states, such as Berlin, Lower Saxony, Saarland, and Saxony, have opted out of the campaign due to capacity issues and doubts about its effectiveness, the majority of participating states remain committed to the initiative's goal of reducing speeding and improving road safety.

Key Takeaways

• German police conducting large-scale speed enforcement "Blitzermarathon" across 8 states.
• Bavaria deploying 2,000 officers at 1,500 checkpoints to monitor and enforce speed limits.
• Blitzermarathon aims to reduce speeding, a leading cause of accidents and fatalities in Germany.
• Many drivers continue to exceed speed limits, resulting in fines and penalties.
• Majority of states remain committed to the initiative, despite some opting out due to capacity issues.