Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to this knowledgeable community seeking some advice regarding a peculiar issue. Recently, I was driving through south Germany and received a speeding ticket stating that I was 13 km/h over the speed limit in a forested area (outside of any city).

The interesting part is that in the pictures taken by the speed camera, the country code and flag on my license plate, which should show the Ch cross for Switzerland, seem to be missing. (My plates are 2 years old and they are not faded away)

Has anyone experienced a similar issue before? Is this a common occurrence with speed cameras in Germany or could this be a flaw in the system? More importantly, has anyone successfully challenged a speeding ticket on such grounds?

Just to be clear, I’m not looking to evade responsibility if I was indeed speeding. However, I think it’s important to ensure that the due evidence based process is followed.

29 comments

  1. The bottom photo is from the front isn’t it?

    In the top, maybe it’s caused by some sort of image processing to make it more readable in black and white?

  2. Your vehicle is most likely neither as choppy and blocky, nor black and white as on the pictures. If this was printed on paper then you will not see as much details as on the 14 bit raw photo, further your editing and further recompression do not help.

    But looking at the photo, the bright foliage, it looks like it was made with an IR filter. This would explain why the red is not seen.

  3. I seem to remember having that too, at least it rings a bell I was wondering why that was but didn’t pay too much attention to it. I’m German and doubt pretty much the missing code will get you out of trouble. Good luck anyways.

  4. The swiss shield is not considered a valid Country Identifier by EU countries. You always need the CH White oval sticker as poicemen from nearby country could fine you just for that.

    Otoh, EU plates are ok with just the blue stripe on the plate itself

  5. >I’m not looking to evade responsibility […] it’s important to ensure that the due evidence based process is followed.

    This why you’re looking for any excuse to get out of what I believe is a 40 euro ticket? “The picture isn’t very good quality!”?

    They took your picture going too fast. You’re pretty much not getting out of this one, unless you can prove it wasn’t you driving the car. Just pay.

  6. I mean, is it your vehicle on the picture? Did you drive there at that time? Then it’s you and pay the fine. What do you hope to gain from doing critical photography analysis?

    If it’s really just curiosity then the answer to your question is infrared light.

  7. In all fairness I’d oppose it, or rather ask them how did they arrive at the conclusion that it’s your car given the missing indicator that it’s a CH license plate and then follow the due process to reject this assuming that they don’t have a picture with the CH cross on it.

  8. As far as I know, license plates are not just coloured for us to see, there is also a highly reflective special white color on everything except the numbers of the plate. You can’t easily see if it got scratched away (and you can get a 60.- ticket in Switzerland if it did), but the speed camera can see it, making the recognition process way easier. As I assume from your pictures, the flag on the left of the rear license plate might also be coloured in this reflective paint, making it “invisible” when applying the recognition processes.

    Edit: As other comments mentioned too, I think you additionally need to have the white CH-sticker to be allowed to drive abroad because the Swiss flag in the license plate isn’t valid.

  9. You need to have a proper country identifier in EU countries, most people use a sticker or a magnet saying “CH”

  10. Judging by very bright foliage in the background of this photo it was taken in infrared. Country code and flag may not reflect infrared light.

  12. If your car. You’d better pay… because your defense will be that it’s not your car in the picture (regardless of clarity). I think the German police can collect some pictures of you crossing the border to support their case. Note: This is an opinion, not legal or financial advice

  14. Well, the country code is NOT present on your plate.

    And it should be on your car. That alone would be a separate fine, I am not sure I would point that out…

    The fact that the shield is not visible could be just the post-processing that they do on the image (although a bit strange).

  16. That’s an infrared picture. You can tell because the foliage in the background is white. It seems that the red Swiss flag on the number plate reflects infrared light, that’s why it shows as white.

  17. Just pay. It’s 15€ at max. Why are you trying to evade this in the first place on no ground..

  18. Don’t do anything. Under German law the driver needs to be identified within 3 months. Otherwise charges are dropped.

    Your local CH police will invite you for questioning. Do not state more than your name and try to get there after the 3 months period.

    If you follow my advice nothing will happen. Ask me how I know.

  19. If it is your car it is your car nothing to challenge/fight or win.

    If you believe you were going the right speed then you can try to convince them

  23. There was an initiative same time ago that wanted to add a CH to our plates like the EU has.
    Politicians said that it’s a good idea but that an initiative is the wrong way to address this issue but then did nothing in the matter.
    I guess the sticker industry lobbied against it or something…idk

  24. It looks to me that the image has been enhanced, possibly contrast but possibly also irrelevant colour removed, in order (presumably) to enhance the numbers and letters of the plate. This may not be a simple colour desaturation.

  26. I would also say the infrared light is making it invisible. Did you also get a fine for the missing sticker?
    Strange how people refuse to read the caption and comment immediately

  27. Very likely, they use some computer vision algorithm to get the license plate which could remove or blur the flag, but nevertheless, this is the same type of car you have and the same registration number? Then it is very likely you.

    Sorry you won’t be able to avoid paying for the speeding ticket. And like other have said you don’t have a CH-sticker on your car, they could likely increase the bill if you complain.

  28. By German law, the driver must be visible in the picture. Shots from behind are not accepted and dont hold befor court.

    Google the IBAN and the German county Strassenverkehrsamt and check if they match.

  29. Hopefully we will redesign (due to lack of numbers in big cantons) the license plates and include the CH words in the new design

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