Extra speed camera check across Germany this week

European "speed week" has begun, and Germany is taking part. From April 13 to 19, extra speed cameras will be in operation across the country. Here's what drivers need to know:

Europe’s speed camera marathon begins

From April 13 to 19, the first speed week of the year is taking place across Europe, with the peak on Wednesday, April 15, featuring a 24-hour speed camera marathon (Blitzermarathon). 

Every federal state apart from Saarland will take part in the operation. Most federal states will carry out more speed checks over the whole week and take part in the Blitzermarathon on April 15, some states will only participate on April 15, and others will carry out extra checks throughout the week, but not take part in the Blitzermarathon. 

During the week, thousands of German police officers will be deployed, and additional speed cameras will be installed to enforce speed limits more strictly. Drivers caught speeding during the speed marathon could face a fine or even the confiscation of their driving licence. 

For the full list of where and when "speed week" is taking place in Germany, you can check this list on the ADAC website (in German).

Why was speed week introduced?

The goal of the week-long speed operation is to reduce the number of road victims by ensuring drivers follow traffic safety regulations. Roadpol, a network of European traffic police forces, is behind speed week. 

Of the more than 20 countries that are part of Roadpol, including the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium, more than half participate in the Blitzermarathon every year.

While previous editions of the speed week proved successful in reducing the number of road victims by 25 percent, the effectiveness of the operation has been subject to debate for years.

The number of accidents during the campaign might decrease, but “the effects disappear completely as soon as the speed cameras are removed,” Stefan Bauernschuster, researcher at the University of Passau, told NDR.