- Over 1325 traffic infractions documented within a 72-minute span, suggesting a considerable number of drivers may be unaware of the rules.
On numerous German highways, a usual scenario unfolds: Signboards above the road guide you on which lane to use and set the speed limit. However, it appears that lane closures, particularly, fail to capture the attention of many drivers. This led the Frankfurt Highway Police to issue a statement titled: "The Red X is a 'no-go' signal!"
In the statement, the officers recount an exceptional situation at a highway construction site. Within an astonishing 72 minutes, a speed camera triggered an astounding 1325 times. The cause? A lane closure was underway on the specified highway, denoted by a red X. Despite this, numerous motorists disregarded the traffic warning, resulting in the massive number of infractions.
Enforcing violations
The highway patrol insists: "When you see diagonal red X's on the signs, it signals to the driver, much like a red traffic light, that driving on this lane is strictly prohibited. This is to ensure the added safety of hazardous areas, such as construction sites, for those present."
It seems that this is not the first time the police have had to relay this message to the public. The officers mention that they have "gone over this repeatedly" and stressed the crucial role of closure signs. A police representative told "T-Online" that "people either fail to comprehend the traffic sign or choose to ignore it."
Hefty fines for driving on a closed highway lane
Drivers found on the closed lane during monitoring will be in for a financial penalty. Blowing off the "red diagonal X's" will set you back at least 90 euros and a mark against your driving record in Flensburg. If you endanger other road users by driving on the closed lane, it's 200 euros and two points. In the event of an accident, an additional 40 euros are tacked on.
The Frankfurt Highway Police emphasized that the red diagonal Xs on signs serve a crucial purpose, functioning similarly to a red traffic light, indicating that driving on the labeled lane is strictly prohibited to ensure safety in hazardous areas such as construction sites. Other motorists, unfortunately, seem to overlook or disregard these closure signs, as demonstrated by the massive number of infractions recorded near a lane closure with a circular cross-section.
