Speed check week takes place across Germany from August 3

Police in Germany are set to carry out a “speed week” (Blitzermarathon) from August 3 to 9 as part of the European speed camera marathon. During this week, more speeding checks will take place across the country.

Large-scale crackdown on speeding in Germany

From August 3 to 9, in the middle of peak travel season, a speed week is taking place across Europe to crack down on speeding. 

Every federal state except Bavaria, Saxony and Saarland will take part in the operation. Unlike in April’s Blitzermarathon, there is no designated peak day for the checks, which means that consistent enforcement will go on throughout the whole week.

Thousands of German police officers will be deployed and additional speed cameras will be installed to enforce speed limits more strictly, especially on roads where accidents occur often and in areas with higher risks, such as near schools, construction sites, kindergartens, nursing homes and hospitals. 

Drivers caught speeding during speed check week could face a fine or even the confiscation of their driving licence. A full list of where and when the speed week is taking place in Germany can be found on the German automobile club (ADAC) website (in German).

What is the goal of speed week?

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

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.