Cologne shocks: 7,500 euros fine for going 20 km/h too fast!

Cologne shocks: 7,500 euros fine for going 20 km/h too fast!

A current story from Cologne is causing a stir among drivers: A Cologne woman received a fine of 7,500 euros because she was driving 20 km/h too fast on the A555 between Wesseling and Rodenkirchen on March 4, 2025. Instead of the permitted 100 km/h, she drove 120 km/h. An amount that is disproportionate to what others in comparable circumstances have to pay.

According to Autobild, the fine should only have been 60 euros according to the fine catalog. With this exorbitant amount, the transport authority had to admit an error in the fine notice. The person affected now has the opportunity to lodge an objection within two weeks - otherwise the decision becomes legally binding.

The course of a fine procedure

But how does a fine procedure actually work? Such a procedure is divided into three phases: the preliminary procedure, the interim procedure and the judicial procedure. Bussgeld-Info explains that at the beginning the administrative authority determines who has violated the traffic rules. As soon as this has happened, a fine notice will be created that contains all relevant information.

After receiving the notice, there are two ways to choose: You can either pay the fine and acknowledge the violation or file an objection within two weeks. Traffic lawyer Tom Louven recommends contacting a lawyer in good time in such cases. This is particularly important as technical or formal errors often occur in fine notices. Catalog of fines reports bizarre incidents, such as a woman who was caught speeding while she was in the back seat of the vehicle. Such mishaps underline the need to carefully examine fine notices.

Reactions and outlooks

The high demand has excited many drivers in Cologne and beyond. It remains to be seen whether the Cologne resident will make use of her objection and thus possibly be able to refute a false signal in the traffic data. The fact is that fines are common in Germany and are playing an increasingly important role in the everyday lives of many drivers.

The recommendations that can be derived from this case are clear: If there are discrepancies in fine notices, you should not hesitate too long. Apart from the appeal deadline, there is ample evidence that appeals are often successful if you take the right steps. After all, there could be many options for those from Cologne in particular to free themselves from the high fine.