One or more drivers have blown up so many speed cameras that the rental company that owns the cameras refuses to set up more traps.
Drivers in the German city of Görlitz have used illegal fireworks to destroy all mobile speed cameras. Now the rental company is refusing to supply new cameras.
Three mobile speed cameras have been blown up in the eastern German city of Görlitz, which borders Poland. The damage amounts to around 740,000 kroner. The incidents put the spotlight on angry drivers and the use of illegal fireworks.
The three speed cameras were placed on trailers on various highways in the state of Saxony, Germany's easternmost state, which borders Poland. The explosions occurred over a long period of time.
This is what Bild writes.
German police have a clear suspicion. They believe angry drivers are behind the vandalism. The police believe the drivers bought large fireworks in neighboring Poland. Here, fireworks that are illegal to use in Germany are sold completely legally.
The fireworks were used to destroy the mobile speed cameras. The cameras were parked on trailers on the side of the road without supervision. They have previously collected large sums of money in stalls.
Investigators found pyrotechnic remains on two of the destroyed cameras, a press officer from the Görlitz district confirmed to the newspaper Bild. The remains found in themselves point to the powerful fireworks that blew up the equipment.
However, the third speed camera was so badly damaged that it has been difficult to find any traces other than powdered remains.
According to Bild, district administrator Stephan Meyer is angry about the destruction, especially because there are no perpetrators to blame.
"Due to the total destruction, there were no concrete indications of a specific approach." This makes the investigation difficult.
Two of the three cameras can probably be repaired. The last one is completely destroyed. The police estimate that the damage costs 150,000 euros. This corresponds to approximately 740,000 kroner.
Economic loss and illegal fireworks
The damaged speed cameras were rented to the district. The rental company has already reacted strongly to the vandalism. The company will no longer provide mobile speed cameras to the Görlitz district.
Stephan Meyer explains the consequence.
– The Görlitz district will, or may be forced to, refrain from using mobile speed cameras in the future because the supplier will no longer supply the equipment.
This means that the area will lack mobile speed cameras in the future. This may have an impact on traffic safety and the number of speed cameras in the area.
The now-defunct cameras were a source of income for the district, bringing in around 1.8 million kroner annually in fines from drivers who speed.
The destruction of speed cameras is a known problem in the state of Saxony. The three cameras blown up near Görlitz are the latest examples. The problem seems to be concentrated near the border.
The future without mobile speed cameras in Görlitz
The use of powerful, illegal fireworks from Poland is seen as a central part of the problem. The mobile cameras on trailers were an easy target for vandalism, as they were often left unattended.
It is not yet known whether the district will try to find a new supplier or whether it will focus on other forms of speed control to enforce the speed limits. The situation leaves a gap in local traffic monitoring.
Speed limits and speed bumps are something that concerns many drivers. On Boosted.dk you can find many more articles on the subject.
For example, read about the newest types of speed traps in Denmark, and how road users who previously escaped the speed traps can no longer feel safe.
