Cologne installs new speed camera to combat accidents!

Cologne installs new speed camera to combat accidents!

An important measure to improve traffic safety is being planned in Cologne. The city is planning to install a new fixed speed camera on the B55a city highway between the Buchforst entrance and the Höhenberg junction. This initiative is the direct result of the number of accidents in the direction of the Cologne-Ost intersection that were discovered there. A report from belovedinkoeln.com According to this, the new speed camera is scheduled to go into operation in the third quarter of 2025.

The planned measures are no coincidence: According to the Cologne Accident Commission, there were several serious accidents on this section in 2024, including one seriously injured and seven slightly injured people. In order to increase traffic safety, the city of Cologne will equip this speed camera with an innovative, laser-based measuring system that has been approved since March 2025. In addition, traffic monitoring in spring 2025 showed that of over 324,000 vehicles recorded, more than 25% were driving faster than the permitted 80 km/h, with a peak value of even 181 km/h.

Financial aspects and technical details

The strategy for installing the speed camera envisages a rental period of three years, with the gross costs estimated at around 260,000 euros. As the installation progresses, police will continue to carry out temporary speed checks to ensure temporary road safety.

Another aspect that should not be neglected: access to the new lightning system requires adjustments to the guardrails and signage. The city of Cologne is also examining whether similar new technologies can be used at other locations, for example on the Zoo Bridge.

Overview of stationary speed cameras in Germany

The introduction of the new speed camera comes in a context in which Germany is estimated to have around 4,500 stationary speed cameras. Most of these devices are located in Baden-Württemberg and are used by the police and public order offices to monitor traffic. These speed cameras have the advantage that they monitor accident hotspots sustainably without the need for additional personnel. However, local drivers can adapt their driving style accordingly, which is a disadvantage.

How bussgeldkatalog.org As noted, most stationary speed cameras work with radar or induction measurement. They take photos when speeding is exceeded and can even trigger without a visible flash, as is the case with black light speed cameras. The costs for such devices are in the low six-figure range, which includes acquisition as well as maintenance and evaluation costs.

The traffic accident statistics, presented by destatis.de, also provides a comprehensive overview of the road safety situation. Here, accidents, those involved and the causes of accidents are recorded in detail, which serves as a helpful basis for future measures to improve road safety.

In summary, the new speed camera in Cologne will not only promote compliance with speed limits, but also represent a clever response to the increasing number of accidents. The city of Cologne has retained a good knack for both ensuring the safety of road users and sustainably improving the infrastructure.