Intensive road checks expected as “speed week” begins in Germany

German police in 12 federal states will carry out intensive speed and traffic checks on the roads this week, hoping to encourage drivers to be more careful.

Traffic checks begin in 12 German states

Between August 5 and 11, German police will carry out intensive traffic checks to catch any drivers going over the Tempolimit.

Authorities in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rheinland-Palatinate and Schleswig-Holstein have their eyes peeled and speed cameras ready.

In Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt speed tests will be concentrated outside schools and in Lower Saxony, police will focus their controls on distracted drivers and technical problems with vehicles. Bavaria, Bremen and Saarland will not take part in the action.

"The speed is adapted to the surroundings," ADAC traffic psychologist Ulrich Chiellino said in an announcement from the organisation, urging drivers to stick to the limit. "From this perspective, a speed limit should also be understood as a limit, not a recommendation. Every road user should constantly question their behaviour and change it if necessary."

Speed checks will be intensive throughout the week

In contrast to Blitzerwochen of previous years, there will be no specified Blitzertag during the week, meaning checks are expected to be equally intensive for the duration of the action.

Drivers caught exceeding the Tempolimit face several sanctions, including fines and driving bans, and in Flensburg, the possibility of having points added to their licence.

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