Driving over red: SUV drivers have to reckon with higher fines
Created: 06/29/2022, 14:12
By: Alexander Gottschalk
After a red light violation, the Frankfurt district court decided to punish an SUV driver more severely than other drivers.
Frankfurt – If you drive an SUV through a red traffic light, you have to expect a harder penalty than other drivers.
This emerges from a decision by the district court in Frankfurt on June 3rd.
This negotiated the case of a 40-year-old woman who was flashed in Frankfurt in November 2021.
The judges increased the standard penalty of 200 euros, which would have been provided for according to the catalog of fines, to 350 euros.
They also imposed a one-month driving ban, as reported by fnp.de.
The court justified the step with the "increased operational risk" emanating from the SUV (abbreviation for "Sports Utility Vehicle").
Its "box-like design" and the "elevated front section" increased the risk of injury to other road users, such as pedestrians, in the event of an accident.
Driving through the red traffic light, which ultimately serves to protect others, is therefore "more serious" than in the "normal case".
District court in Frankfurt imposes stricter road after SUV red light violation
The convict had driven her BMW SUV at lunchtime over red at an intersection in Frankfurt.
According to the Frankfurt district court, the red phase lasted 1.1 seconds after the tolerance was deducted.
According to the official measurement, there had previously been a yellow phase of three seconds.
The judges assumed in favor of the woman that she had committed the red light violation "only out of carelessness".
SUV drivers face tougher penalties for traffic violations.
That suggests a judgment from Frankfurt.
(Iconic image) © Sina Schuldt/dpa
The district court in Frankfurt also included previous traffic violations by the 40-year-old in its judgment.
In February 2020, for example, she was caught with 23 km/h too much on the speedometer outside of a village, only a month later she was fined because the woman used a cell phone at the wheel.
The decision published on Wednesday (June 29) in the case of your red light violation is not yet final.
Frankfurt District Court: Definition of the term SUV remains vague
The definition of the term “SUV” remained vague.
According to the Frankfurt lawyers, cars of this type differ from "normal motor vehicles" in that they have "increased ground clearance" and their "appearance is based on an off-road vehicle".
Other features: the "box-like design" and the "higher front structure elements".
Good to know for all road users: the catalog of fines in Germany is updated regularly.
In autumn 2021, the penalties for speeding or illegal parking increased for the last time.
(Alexander Gottschalk with dpa)
