Attention drivers! New speed camera in the Pfänder tunnel for more security!

Attention drivers! New speed camera in the Pfänder tunnel for more security!

In the Pfänder tunnel near Bregenz, a new surveillance system for speed control is installed. This includes a section control system that is supplemented by several radar boxes. According to Vol.at , the system is clearly positioned at the tunnel portals, but is not yet active. It serves prevention for the time being to stimulate road participants to comply with speed limits and safety distances.

Background of the measure are extensive construction work in the tunnel that make the safety of road users particularly important during this time. ASFINAG, the state of Vorarlberg and the police have decided to make the facility conspicuous to increase the attention of drivers. However, it is currently unclear whether the Section Control will be activated in the future. Visible radar devices and signs should increase the mindfulness of the drivers and thus promote compliance with the speed limits.

functionality of the section control

The Section Control is a form of speed measurement that determines the average speed over a longer section. This technology is also used in other countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Great Britain, although it was taken out in Germany at the beginning of 2025. In Lower Saxony, however, it will continue to be used on a section of the B6.

This type of speed control captures the time that a vehicle needs to drive between these points at several checkpoints. If the permissible speed is exceeded, the driver receives a fine. However, data protection officers express concerns because the license plates are scanned with this method, which raises questions about the protection of personal data. The Higher Administrative Court in Lower Saxony confirmed the legality of the Section Control after a lawsuit was rejected against them. This was done in a change in the Lower Saxony Police Act.

minimum distances for speed measurements

Another critical point for speed monitoring is the minimum distances between measuring devices and traffic signs. As Verkehrmesstechnik-nord.de , the distance must be sufficiently large to prevent sudden braking maneuvers and minimize the risk of accidents. Compliance with these distances is crucial for the usability of the measurement results and can influence the contestability of fines.

The regulations on this vary in the 16 federal states of Germany. For example, in many federal states, distances of 100 to 200 meters between the measuring point and traffic signs are required in order to be able to adapt the speed of the road users in good time.

Overall, the newly installed radar and section control system in the Pfänder tunnel with a view to the safety of drivers and to avoid damage during construction work is introduced as a preventive measure. The exact design and possible activation remains to be seen.