Blue speed camera that doesn't flash: What are the blue pillars on the side of the road?

The weather is nice, you have time. That's why you choose a route away from the highway. You drive there quite comfortably, a few km/h faster than allowed. And there you can see it: A large, blue speed camera column on the side of the road. You can be prepared for a nice photo and a fine – or maybe not?

Blue speed cameras – what function do they have?

Right at the beginning: The blue pillars on the edges of federal highways are not speed cameras, compared to stationary speed cameras. So you don't have to worry about losing your driver's license. Especially those who are caught speeding during the probationary period have to fear severe penalties - so a speed camera app won't help either.

But the blue speed cameras look like that – but they have a completely different task. They are toll columns for controlling the truck toll. Because the toll is also controlled away from motorways, and the blue control columns take care of that.

Because the so-called blue speed cameras do not take an unwanted photo, you should not make an emergency stop when you see these pillars. This is unnecessary and also dangerous. Just stick to the specified speed, then you have nothing to fear from the toll columns or from real speed cameras. Some devices that look like speed cameras, often near motorway bridges, are meanwhile measuring devices for distance control.

From 7.5 tonnes, a toll is due

However, the blue toll columns are important for truck drivers. A total distance of 40,000 kilometers of federal highways is distributed over a lot of these devices. Toll bridges, such as those found on motorways, are unsuitable for large-scale use. As soon as the total weight of the truck exceeds 7.5 tonnes, a toll is due.

By the way: Cars also pay tolls in other countries – e.g. in Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland, Austria or France.

The almost four-meter-high columns contain cameras that shoot the license plate, then a picture from the side and an overview picture. A comparison in the Toll Collect system then shows whether the toll has been paid. Due to their enormous height and blue color, they are very different from conventional speed camera columns, which actually record a speed violation.

For trucks that are frequently used on toll roads, the installation of an on-board unit is recommended. This automatically collects the toll for all distances actually traveled. Otherwise, the toll must be paid manually at the toll station terminals. In the future, this will also be possible via app on the smartphone.

How do toll columns check trucks?

Various sensors, cameras and modules are attached to the toll stations that record vehicle data such as license plates, dimensions and number of axles and check whether there is a toll obligation and whether the toll paid has been paid in the correct amount.

 

Controlling the truck toll is difficult

Before the toll for trucks was extended to federal roads in 2018, it only applied to the motorway. As a result, trucks increasingly switched to federal and country roads to avoid the toll. Even with the introduction of the blue control pillars, it was still difficult to control compliance with toll payments at first. Some of the columns were not yet functional.

In total, there are around 600 blue speed cameras that are used on federal highways throughout Germany. Accordingly, where blue speed cameras can be seen, trucks often drive by. We recommend keeping a safe distance from the thick trucks and staying out of their blind spot.

Truck toll not paid: Bad idea

If the truck driver has not paid the toll for the distance driven, or has not paid it in full or has not paid it on time, there is a risk of a fine – for the driver and owner! This means that the company also has to pay a fine. Points in Flensburg are not to be feared. Depending on whether it was a first offence or a repeat offence, the fines vary.

Here is an excerpt from the catalogue of fines:

Violation	Fine for driver	Fine for owner
Truck toll not paid	240 €	480 €
Truck toll not paid correctly	120 €	240 €
Deviated from the booked route / exceeded time	120 €	240 €
Incorrect emission class, weight or axle load specified	120 €	240 €
No receipts at traffic control	50 €	150 €

 

Is a toll column flashing?

No, a toll column does not flash. The integrated cameras take pictures, but these are deleted immediately after synchronization with Toll Collect. Even if a truck passes through the toll control at excessive speed, there is no threat of a fine for speeding.

Blue pillar flashed red – don't worry

If you see that the blue toll columns are flashing red, then you don't have to be afraid – it's just an infrared flash to take a photo of a truck driving behind or in front of you. This is needed to control the toll.

Berbagi :