Stationary speed cameras in Ortkrug: 99.5% stick to the speed limit!

Stationary speed cameras in Ortkrug: 99.5% stick to the speed limit!

In Ortkrug on the L 072, which connects to the motorways in the direction of Schwerin, a stationary speed camera is causing a stir. Loud Northern Courier An impressive 99.5% of drivers adhere to the speed limit of 50 km/h. These numbers speak for the effectiveness of the stationary monitoring, which caught a total of 1,926 drivers speeding over the months from January to May 2023. With 456,000 vehicles passing through, this is a remarkable result.

As early as 2022, it became clear that the speed cameras are not lacking in effectiveness at this point: over 5,000 drivers were caught in 1.7 million vehicles. Antje Davids, head of the traffic monitoring service, emphasizes that the speed cameras in Ortkrug are still having a positive effect after many years. “There is also a speed camera in Kummer on the B5, which is used to calm traffic in front of a dangerous intersection,” said Davids.

Effects and challenges of speed enforcement

The stationary speed cameras are not only an issue in Ortkrug, but also nationwide. According to estimates, there are around 4,500 of these systems in Germany, with most of them being in Baden-Württemberg. These speed cameras provide continuous monitoring of accidents without the need for additional personnel Catalog of fines reported. They use various measurement techniques, mostly radar or induction measurement, and their costs are in the low six-figure range.

But introducing new speed cameras is often difficult. Antje Davids explains that the district receives many requests from residents for increased surveillance. But the outdated regulations from 2001 prevent the construction of new systems. The situation is particularly complicated with regard to accident clusters, as these are increasingly decreasing.

Mobile monitoring as an alternative

In order to meet increasing demand, the district is increasingly relying on mobile speed monitoring. There are currently three mobile trailers in use and there are considerations for a fourth. These trailers can be operated independently and do not require an external power supply, which increases their flexibility.

A study by insurers' accident research shows how important speed monitoring is for road safety. The connection between “improper speed” and traffic accidents is obvious: 13% of motor vehicle accidents with personal injuries and 28% of fatal accidents are related to speeding. The static speed cameras prove to be an effective measure here, while mobile surveillance has less influence on speed behavior, as the study by UDV proven.

In summary, it can be said that the stationary speed cameras in Ortkrug and other areas not only contribute to compliance with speed limits, but also represent a great benefit for traffic safety. However, the challenge remains to install new systems and adapt the monitoring concepts to current circumstances.