Red light camera

Red light cameras refers to several mechanisms of the police and security authorities to monitor compliance with the red light of a light warning device in traffic.

• 2.1 observation
• 2.2 Video

• 4.1 Germany
• 4.2 Switzerland

Steady red light monitoring

For permanent monitoring of vulnerable intersections are inpatient facilities for use. These are often referred to as "speed traps ", " flash lights " or " Rotblitzer " in the vernacular. These are external to ordinary so-called " speed cameras " that are placed directly behind the monitored intersection. However, the technical details are more complex than those of comparable institutions for speed monitoring compliance with the required functionality.

Terms of Use

In order to transport participants to demonstrate a red light violation, accurate documentation of Tatablaufes is required. In order for a red light violation is present, the driver shall be run in protected by the light warning device range (for his direction of travel and valid for him visible ) red light characters. Even if the stop line to the green at, but then have to wait due to traffic jams between stop line and light warning device and enters only in the scope when the light is already red, commits a red-light violation, which is punishable by ban. If only cross the stop line at red, but stopped before the start of the scope of the light signal system, is only before a stop line violation, which is usually has far less severe penalties.

Furthermore, the elapsed duration of the red phase must be documented at the material time, to possibly a qualified red light violation ( red phase lasted already more than one second to ) prove and to impose the corresponding sanctions heavier. Also relevant is the duration of the preceding yellow phase, as the driver for the Continue decision was thus a decisive influence.

Operation

The determination of the required vehicle movements are, for example, two set into the pavement induction loops. The first loop is located directly behind the stop line, the second before the start of the scope of the light signal system. The control of the monitoring device is technically coupled to the control of the light signal system. With the onset of the red phase ( plus a small measuring tolerance ) the system is activated. Once a vehicle now runs over one of the two induction loops, the inclusion of photographic evidence is triggered by the implementation after the intersection Star box automatically. Elapsed duration of the red phase and the previous yellow phase are shown in the photo. In the actual presence of a red light violation, therefore, carried out two shots that can perceive by two successive light flashes, the driver.

In older monitoring equipment is only partially included a rear vehicle photo. However, since this does not allow for proper driver identification, these investments are gradually rebuilt.

Simultaneous speed monitoring

The newer generation devices are able to simultaneously monitor compliance with the speed limit and punish the contempt of red light. Since the disregard of the red light is often accompanied by an exceeding the speed limit, two violations can be punished the same time.

Mobile red light monitoring

Of the stationary systems the various options for demand-oriented mobile red light cameras are to be distinguished.

Observation

Considering comes primarily targeted monitoring of a particular light warning device by police officers or employees of the regulatory authorities. Here, as a rule, a continuation of the Tatfahrzeuge is required to allow a unique identification of the driver. For this reason, the required personnel and costs of such measures is very high.

It is also possible the chance observation of a violation by present official. Legally, is very controversial in these cases, whether alone on the testimony of the observing police officers and the evidence of a qualified red light violation is possible. In general, this will only be accepted at the specific observation of a light signal system, the act was, however, observed at random, usually just a simple offenders may be prosecuted.

Video

Partial and video systems are used for mobile red light cameras. Two cameras mounted on tripods were set up in the area before the light signal system running synchronously. One camera points in the direction of the light signal system to document their phases, and the actual Tatablauf. The second camera is pointing in the opposite direction, in order to identify the driver. Only a single minister is for the operation of such installation, unlike the manual observation of a light signal system, is required. Despite these cost advantages such monitoring devices are generally regarded as rare.

Bypassing a red light system

Failing to pass a light warning device ( for example a road user travels on a corner lot in order to evade a traffic light at an intersection ) is considered a " classic" of road traffic offenses law. The Higher Regional Court of Hamm ruled on July 2, 2013 ( Az 1 RBs 98/13 ) that the negotiated case was not a red light violation.

Penalties, fines, judgments

Germany

A simple red light violation carries a fine of 90 € by itself and is assessed on their driving with three points. For a serious breach ( already more than one second lasting red phase ) € 200 fine will be due the fact is evaluated with four points and also banned from driving for a period of one month will be imposed. In the presence of a hazard (320 € ) or an accident (360 € ) or higher fines and longer driving bans can be imposed a punishment of a criminal offense by dangerous driving ( § 315c StGB) is possible in individual cases. Novice drivers during the trial period must reckon with the arrangement for participation in a postgraduate seminar, also with a 2 - year extension of her probationary period for any red light violation.

Stop line violations are punished with a warning, however, only fee of 10 €, unless a danger to other road users present.

Red light violations are among the most serious offenses in road traffic and are therefore relatively severely.

1 ) In the case of severe punishment must have been established beyond reasonable doubt the following:

• Is the movement of the red-light camera accurately and crystal controlled?
• Shows the displayed photo in the time display the time in hundredths of a second?
• If the yellow and red light time the traffic recorded separately?
• Does the time of measurement forth ( time at which the picture was taken ) when driving over the induction loop from the photo?
• Agreed, the travel-time of the induction loop with the camera exactly the same?

2 ) If only cross the stop line, but stopped before the start of the scope of the light signal system, is only before a stop line violation. A sensor in the track control a surveillance camera, where the time is measured. With up to 1.1 seconds, the red light phase only a fine may be imposed. While in Germany the red light phase in the federal states is measured differently, the more stringent measurement with the Uniform Federal legislation is not compatible. Thus comes to penalties with less than a second red light phase only a fine into consideration.

3 ) Has been run for more than a second red light into the intersection without personal risk, may be waived by the ban, if no points are present in the driving record of the driver's license and is used professionally. Likewise, to proceed even with a first-time offender.

4 ) If in the yellow phase can not be stopped safely, the driver may proceed with due caution. In an emergency or hard braking before the light signal system following traffic must not be jeopardized. The normal service braking reaches a delay of 3.5 to 4 m / s ². An emergency braking operation has a delay of 6.5 m / s ². When permitted driving speed, eg 50 km / h the vehicle in the yellow phase with a normal service braking must come to a halt. A full emergency braking or would increase the risk of rear-end collisions inappropriate. The duration of the yellow phase is generally at a speed limit of 50 km / h for 3 seconds at 60 km / h, and 4 seconds at 70 km / h over 5 seconds. At 50 km / h 13.9 m is put back on track in the second, and thus remained approximately 40 m ( 3.5-4 ms ² and delay 1 s reaction time) to stop. These values ​​only apply to cars that can come to a stop when braking hard in about 35 m. When a loaded truck with 40 tons total weight of a correspondingly longer stopping distance must be calculated at a normal service brake application and / or be supported by an expert opinion.

5 ) the intent is to identify in red light violation and has approached the speed at which the motor vehicle is the light warning device from the Bußgeldstelle. The Authority needs to know how far the driver was removed in recognizing the yellow light from the light.

6 ) In the case of job loss by confiscation of the driving license because of a red light violation is to consider the proportionality of the means. This may not be the existence of the defendants are at risk, even if it is several times already stepped down as traffic offenders in appearance. It must be tried by other means, that keeps the offender in the future to the existing traffic rules.

7 ) If the preceding 6 points will not be considered and the prevail of the court proceedings the offender gets right to the cause of the incorrect matter ( municipality / country) has to compensate for the damage.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, a distinction is made between success offenses and endangering offenses. The traffic Disobedience is a success offense if it has led to injury or death. At the risk offenses intentional and negligent disregard of the red light can be distinguished.

Red light violations without concrete or abstract risk to be punished with a Ordnungsbuße of 250 Swiss francs ( cf. OBV 309.1 ).