" SUV drivers face a higher fine for red light violations than drivers of other vehicle types. This is the opinion of the Frankfurt am Main District Court (Amtsgericht) (ruling dated June 3, 2022, Case No. 974 OWi 533 Js-OWi 18474/22). The decision is not yet final.
A woman drove her BMW SUV through a red light at an intersection in Frankfurt. The red phase of the traffic light lasted at that time already longer than 1.1 seconds. An SUV (long: sport utility vehicle) has increased ground clearance compared to normal vehicles.
Due to the special vehicle procurement, the district court now felt compelled in this specific case to increase the standard fine provided for in the fine catalog for this violation. Normally, the catalog provides for a fine of 200 euros - but the woman must now pay 350 euros. The boxy design and the raised front end would increase the risk of injury to other road users, the court said.
Due to the greater abstract danger, the committed red light violation was more serious than in a normal case, the district court said. It based this decision on the objective of Section 37 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), according to which variable light signals - i.e. traffic lights - are intended to protect road users from collisions in the intersection area - and a collision with a larger car such as an SUV poses a higher potential for injury."
Translated from: https://www.lto.de/recht/nachrichten/n/ag-frankfurt-am-main-...