The long planned higher fines for driving too fast and wrong parking will come into force on Tuesday (November 9th).

Those who drive 11 to 15 kilometers per hour (km / h) too fast in urban areas now have to pay 50 euros (previously 25 euros), whoever is 16 to 20 km / h too fast pays 70 euros (instead of 35 euros).

The police are responsible for speed controls, security authorities primarily deal with violations when parking.

The higher fines should also make it less attractive to consciously accept some fines, for example when parking without a valid parking ticket.

The Berlin police also pointed out the higher penalties and the protection of pedestrians and cyclists.

The warning fee for incorrect parking on cycle paths and sidewalks had not increased since the 1980s.

Unauthorized parking on sidewalks and bike paths, in the second row, in bus lanes and in a parking lot for e-vehicles now costs at least 55 euros.

If others are hindered, it can be even more expensive.

In comparison with other EU countries it is cheap

In a European comparison, illegal parking in Germany has been cheap up to now: in the neighboring country of the Netherlands, for example, parking violations are punished with at least 95 euros, in Spain a parking ticket can cost up to 200 euros. However, with the new 55 Euro fine, parking illegally remains a minor offense in Germany. Major administrative offenses cost at least 60 euros - then a fine procedure is initiated, which can lead to points in the Flensburg register of fitness to drive. 

Many associations had criticized the draft for the amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) as inadequate and demanded fines of 100 euros and one penalty point in Flensburg, including several associations for the disabled, the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC), the Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD) and the Fachverband Fußverkehr (FUSS). 

The dispute over the increased fines for illegal parking particularly divides opinions: For some, the fines have been too cheap compared to expensive parking fees. If you pay almost as much for a day pass as for a ticket, you are not looking for an adequate parking space. In addition, higher earners could more easily allow themselves to park incorrectly if they were not threatened with a point in Flensburg. For the others, the problem lies primarily in incorrect urban planning, which makes it almost impossible to find a parking space quickly. It is also criticized that the new fines for municipalities are primarily a simple means of getting money.

Long negotiations between the federal and state governments preceded the new catalog of fines.

Due to a formal error, stricter rules on fines in the new road traffic regulations were suspended last year.

As a result, a political dispute had ignited, which generally concerned the actually planned tougher driving ban rules for driving too fast.

Instead, the federal and state governments finally agreed on the increase in fines.

The Federal Council unanimously approved the tightening on October 8th.

As early as the next week, the Berlin public order offices want to intensify controls in a joint focus action.

The inspectors should proceed particularly against parking on sidewalks, bike paths, bus lanes, in the second row and cycling on the sidewalk.

The districts announced this on Monday.

With this concerted action one wants to raise awareness in society for the new catalog of fines.

"The main goal is better protection of weaker road users through more noticeable penalties for corresponding violations." Above all, it is about traffic violations that are dangerous for other road users or that hinder them.