Munich, December 12 – In a significant effort to enhance road safety, Munich police launched a large-scale operation on Wednesday, December 10, specifically targeting drivers who disregard red traffic lights. The initiative, prompted by a series of fatal accidents in recent weeks, resulted in 211 documented red-light violations across the city and district.
Police Respond to Tragic Accidents with Targeted Controls
The extensive controls, which involved over 100 officers deployed from 8 AM to 8 PM, were a direct response to recent deadly incidents where red-light disregard is suspected as a contributing factor. Thomas Madl, head of the traffic department at the police headquarters, stated, “We are reacting to the fatal accidents that have occurred in recent weeks, in which red-light violations are a suspected cause.” He specifically referred to a tragic accident on Kreillerstraße in November that claimed the life of a four-year-old, and a collision with a Porsche on Schleißheimer Straße just two weeks prior, which resulted in two fatalities.
During the operation, officers observed a prevalent disregard for traffic signals. At the intersection of Ungererstraße and Brandenburgerstraße, many vehicles were seen accelerating through amber lights, narrowly avoiding red. One white van was clearly observed running a red light, with the driver later complaining about the 90-euro fine and penalty point. “That was still amber,” he grumbled at the control point, adding that braking abruptly would have left his van in the middle of the intersection.
High Incidence of Violations and Other Infractions
The operation quickly highlighted the scale of the problem. Within just one hour at the Nordfriedhof control point, police identified three red-light violators. Across the entire control area, the total number of red-light violations reached 211. In addition to these, 55 drivers were caught using their mobile phones while driving, and 22 were found not wearing seatbelts. One woman, caught unbuckled at the Nordfriedhof, was so incensed that she tore up her ticket in front of the officers.
The area around Nordfriedhof has been a known accident hotspot. Gunther Reichert, head of traffic at the Schwabing police station, noted that in 2022, there were 27 accidents at the Ring exit, five of which were severe. Following this, traffic lights were adjusted to improve visibility, with some now showing only red and green. However, many drivers continue to accelerate through the amber light, rather than preparing to stop.
Focus on Prevention and Awareness
While the immediate goal was enforcement, the police also aimed to raise awareness about the serious dangers of red-light violations. The high number of infractions underscores the critical need for drivers to adhere strictly to traffic signals to prevent further tragedies. The police emphasized that such operations are crucial for reminding drivers of their responsibility and the potential consequences of their actions.
The police department plans to continue such targeted controls across Munich and its surrounding areas, reinforcing the message that ignoring traffic signals will not be tolerated. The safety of all road users remains the top priority, and these measures are intended to foster a culture of greater caution and adherence to traffic laws.
Source: https://www.tz.de/muenchen/stadt/nach-toedlichen-unfaellen-polizei-schnappt-bei-gross-angelegter-kontrollaktion-211-rotsuender-94079822.html
