Birsfelden's Automatic Fining System Flooded With Violations, Generating Millions
An automatic passage control system in Birsfelden BL has been causing a flood of fines since mid-September, with over 1,000 drivers disregarding the driving ban daily. This has resulted in substantial revenue for the municipality, with each violation incurring a 100 franc fine.
Originally, it was anticipated that only 15 buses per day would violate the driving ban. However, the actual number of violations has far exceeded this estimate, leading to considerable waiting times at the administration counter and the hiring of additional staff to manage the influx of fines. The municipality has turned to navigation services to prevent drivers from being routed through prohibited roads, with several services, including Google, planning to adjust their systems to comply with the driving ban.
The system automatically fines drivers who cross the route in less than 15 minutes and are not entitled persons. Since mid-September, the system has generated an estimated 1.5 million francs in revenue for the municipality.
While the municipality acknowledges the revenue generated from the fines, its primary goal is to keep evasive traffic out of the districts, not to increase fine revenues. Google intends to make adjustments to its navigation system to comply with the driving ban, and other navigation services have decided to avoid routes through prohibited streets in Birsfelden.
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