Just four months since its installation, the infamous speed camera on Langstrasse in Zurich has now earned authorities a whopping 4,5 million Swiss francs. While fewer drivers are being caught by the camera, thousands are still falling foul of the new rules on the city's main party street.

Langstrasse police camera fine Zurich drivers 4,5 million francs

According to data from the police, the camera on Langstrasse has issued fines worth a total of 4,5 million francs since it was first set up in January 2024. The camera itself is designed to enforce new traffic rules, following the part-pedestrianisation of Zurich’s main nightlife street in 2023.

Since late September, only buses, taxis and cyclists have been able to use the street in both directions during daytime. Drivers and motorcyclists have been banned from using the street entirely from 5.30am to 10pm, between the junctions of Ankerstrasse and Kanonengasse. 

The emergency services explained back in January that the camera was installed because many motorists were simply ignoring the new rules. Therefore, anyone caught driving through the restricted area during the day is now issued a fine of 100 Swiss francs.

Camera on track to be the most profitable in Zurich police history

The authorities have confirmed that following the 1,73 million franc haul from January, the camera earned just under a million francs in February, 900.000 francs in March and 830.000 francs in April. On average, the camera was raking in 37.190 francs a day between the beginning of January and the end of April 2024, or around 25,82 francs a minute. For context, last year the city issued fines worth 60 million francs in total.

Contrary to what city authorities assured back in February, the NZZ noted that the number of fines issued by the camera is no longer falling, having stabilised at around 6.000 to 8.000 a month. They predicted that if this rate continues, the camera will be the most profitable in Zurich police history. The camera's antics also earned it a place on the podium at the latest Rusty Paragraph Awards - awards designed to mock the silliest laws and regulations in Switzerland.

Better signs are the least we can do, argues city councillor

Speaking to the NZZ, Zurich Security Department spokesperson Mathias Ninck said that while they hope that the situation will return to normal on its own, they would change the signage around Langstrasse if the high level of fines persists. Security Department head Karin Rykart (Greens) has already ordered a review into measures to reduce the number of fines, including a digital sign which will inform drivers of the new rules in time for them to divert around the street.

"The revenues are disproportionate and it is not getting any better” noted Zurich city councillor Sanija Ameti (GLP). She concluded that the level of fines “cannot be simply attributed to negligence on the part of road users…better signage would be the least we could do.”

Thumb image credit: Thomas Stoiber / Shutterstock.com