Berlin’s €118.9M Traffic Fine Boom Fuels Debate Over Speed Cameras

Speed traps are raking in millions, but are they fair? Berlin’s crackdown on reckless drivers reveals a system both ruthless and flawed.

, and Administrator

2026 January 10 . 1:02 PM

1 min read

In this image we can see traffic poles, traffic signals, street poles, street lights, buildings and... — In this image we can see traffic poles, traffic signals, street poles, street lights, buildings and sky.

Approximately 118.9 Million Euros in Fines from Traffic Offenders - Berlin’s €118.9M Traffic Fine Boom Fuels Debate Over Speed Cameras

Berlin’s traffic fines brought in over €118.9 million in 2025, marking a rise from the previous year. The increase comes alongside a surge in speeding offences, though red-light violations dropped. Authorities processed millions of cases, with many dismissed due to procedural issues.

Speeding cases in Berlin climbed to 977,664 in 2025, up from 850,643 in 2024. Mobile speed cameras played a key role in detecting more violations. Despite this, red-light offences fell from 24,342 to 19,290 over the same period. The Police Union credited the shift to mobile cameras being more effective than fixed ones.

Overall, authorities handled over 4 million violation reports in 2025, compared to around 3.8 million in 2024. However, nearly 1.04 million cases were dismissed—an increase from 926,243 in 2024. Common reasons included failing to identify drivers or missing legal deadlines for sending notices.

The city’s revenue from fines also grew, reaching €118.9 million in 2025, up from €112.4 million in 2024. Prosecutors, courts, and regulatory bodies continue working to improve the recovery of funds from traffic violations and illegal gains.

The rise in fines and speeding cases reflects stricter enforcement and better detection methods. Yet, a significant number of dismissals shows ongoing challenges in processing violations. The drop in red-light offences suggests mobile cameras may be having an impact.