If you get caught, it's expensive. Many drivers try to avoid the fine. But only very few excuses work.
Some excuses are more popular with drivers than others. But which ones work and which ones still require you to pay the expensive fine?
Traffic signs not recognizable: Can work in individual cases
A popular excuse among drivers is that the traffic sign was illegible. There can be various reasons for this. It can be snowy in winter and branches and leaves often obscure the view in summer. Drivers only realize that there may be a speed limit when the speed camera goes off - which often happens earlier than you think.
In this case, an objection is worthwhile, as Christian Marnitz, specialist lawyer at Geblitzt.de explains to
Bild
: “Basically, traffic signs must be easy, simple and quick to recognize. If this is not the case, this could be the reason for discontinuing the fine proceedings.” However, this depends on the individual case. A driver who knows the area has less of a chance of success in court with this excuse. At least he should be aware of the speed limit.
No fines in the event of a medical emergency
In films and television, characters often get around a fine because of a medical emergency. For example because the wife is in labor. This can also work in real life. “If lives are in danger, this can justify speeding on the way to the emergency room. The basis is Section 16 of the Administrative Offenses Act – Justifiable Emergency,” says Marnitz.
However, this is not an all-purpose weapon against speed camera images. Because if there is a fine procedure, it must be proven that it was really an emergency.
If you're in a hurry, you have to pay
Some drivers are too fast simply because they are in a hurry. For example, because he has to go to an appointment or because his bladder is pressing. It's annoying when you get flashed because of it. However, that is hardly a good excuse - the judge has decided that not even heavy bowel movements is enough, as
n-tv
reports.
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“In regular case law, such an excuse almost never leads to success. Unless there are important health reasons,” emphasizes expert Marnitz. If the bladder weakness is known, the driver must react in good time and take precautions.
Driver or license plate not recognizable: lawyer should examine allegations
However, sometimes you are lucky. The speed camera goes off, but the letter with the fine notice doesn't arrive. Probably because the image isn't sharp enough. And even when it is delivered, the quality of the recording is often not the best. The person behind the wheel may then be difficult to identify. Good conditions for an acquittal!
The Autozeitung,
for example, explains :
“If the person behind the wheel cannot be clearly identified in the picture, for example because the face is obscured or out of focus, those affected can object to the decision.” Because the speed camera photo is probably the most important piece of evidence in the fine proceedings Here the driver's liability, but not the owner's liability, would apply.
Speed camera is in a no-parking zone: Difficult to challenge
It should be clearer if the measuring vehicle or the speed camera trailer is not allowed to park. After all, that is a traffic violation. With this argument, the fine should certainly be avoided. Or maybe not?
In fact, it's not quite that simple, as Marnitz explains in an interview with
Bild
: “Section 46 of the Road Traffic Act applies here. This regulation allows applicants to obtain exemptions in certain individual cases. As a rule, this is also issued by the responsible authorities if there are reasons for speed monitoring to protect children, cyclists, pedestrians or in dangerous areas." This means: The fine - and possibly also points in Flensburg - are difficult to challenge. The situation is different if you park a speed camera, which is usually not a punishable offense, as
echo24.de
reports. But it gets expensive if you take your anger out on the speed trap.