Red Light Fine..... Konstanz (Germany)

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
I wanted to share a recent (summer 2010) experience regarding fines (please, no debate/feedback about my mistake, which incidentally was unintentional).

I made a mistake whilst "out for the day". I drove through Konstanz (just over the Swiss N-E border) and went through a red light (over 1 second) within the City.

I have Swiss plates, Swiss driving licence (UK citizenship).

Today I received my fine.

400 Euros + expenses (423.50 Euros) + 4 points in the "traffic central register" (@Flensburg).

I quickly did some research as I thought the fine was excessive. However after doing so, I will of course, immediately pay it.

I haven't seen it anywhere written, but I assume the increase from 200 euros to 400 euros is because there is somewhere a cross-border agreement between Germany and Switzerland and I do not lose my licence for a month.

I thought I would post some references:

http://www.konstanz.de/rathaus/02168/02211/03658/03659/index.html

The city of Konstanz has currently over 6 red light monitoring systems.

" The regulation fines catalog (BkatV) up to 1 second intended for red light violations with a red life Fined 90,00 € procedures and 3 points in Flensburg. The Red phase lasted for more than 1 second, fine catalog imposes a fine of 200.00 €, legal costs, 4 points and 1 month driving ban ."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_system_(driving))

Germany Points rating : Traffic offences are rated by 1 - 4 points.

Records are deleted when the cancellation period plus an extension period of one year has elapsed (i.e. 3 years for me )

http://www.bussgeldkataloge.de/

Auszüge aus dem aktuellen Verwarnungs- und Bußgeldkatalog 2010

bei schon länger als eine Sekunde andauernder Rotphase eines Wechsellichtzeichens 200,- EUR; 4 Punkte; 1 Monat Fahrverbot

2
That is a lot of money

It is very easy in a strange city to miss seeing a traffic light (the positioning is often not good with trees around, lit shop windows etc.); I have had a couple of last minute braking moments plus not braking at all - lucky no camera there

3
My sentiments too.

I know I made a mistake; this junction (first time there) was difficult for several mitigating reasons at the time. I have been driving more than 35 years with a relatively clean record (minor/small speeding offences). I am not convinced this level of fine is warranted for a first (non-intentional)offence.

4
It's about right for driving through a red light. Did you perhaps also cross a line whilst doing so? It is so annoying and frustrating when such a thing happens.