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Are speed camera apps legal? What you need to know

Experts in Germany argue whether speed camera apps for cell phones are legal. The apps, which are designed to warn you of speed traps, can help you avoid driving through a speed camera at an elevated speed.

The legality of speed camera apps: The decisive legal text

Food for the critics of the warning apps is paragraph 23 (1c) in the generally applicable Highway Code: "Anyone driving a vehicle may not operate or carry ready for operation any technical device intended to indicate or interfere with traffic surveillance measures. This applies in particular to devices designed to interfere with or indicate speed measurements (radar warning or laser jamming devices)." Accordingly, a device that warns of speed cameras is not permitted.

The arguments of the advocates of speed camera apps

Theoretically, then, the following applies:
  1. Now, one can argue about whether a smartphone is such a warning device mentioned in the legal text. After all, it is not mainly and certainly not solely used for the purpose of displaying speed traps. It is only used for information about them.
  2. If the speed camera app is open on the smartphone while driving, however, this could theoretically lead to a penalty. However, the installation of such an app is not prohibited.
  3. Definitely clarified is that passengers may use speed camera apps. It is also permitted to print out lists of posted speed cameras available on the Internet and carry them with you. Also stipulated by law is that you are not allowed to hold a smartphone while your car's engine is running. Use therefore only comes into question via a hands-free device.
  4. In foreign countries, speed camera apps are prosecuted much more harshly than in Germany.
  5. The radio also regularly warns of speed traps. These warnings are not as accurate as a speed camera app, but nevertheless the car radio is used in some situations to receive notices of attached speed traps.

By Tayyebeb

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