Anyone who lets themselves be photographed with a raised middle finger in a speed camera photo has proceeded in a planned manner. Such intent can be significantly more expensive than the actual fine for speeding.
flash systems are not very popular with motorists, but it is not a good idea to vent your displeasure with these measuring systems with a obscene gesture to state, one should be flashed. Even if an outstretched middle finger is not specifically aimed at a specific person, this can still be reported as an insult and punished with severe fines.
penalty guaranteed
In 2020, for example, it got really expensive for the driver of a BMW X5 who was flashed on a main road between the towns of Mainleus and Kulmbach at 81 km/h and thus 11 km/h too fast. When evaluating the photo, the measuring officers of the Bayreuth traffic police noticed the driver's raised middle finger, which they rated as an insult and reported it accordingly. The district court in Kulmbach then imposed a heavy penalty. In addition to the fine of 20 euros for speeding, the 26-year-old X5 driver also had to pay a fine of 1.500 euros for insulting a traffic police officer. In addition, the judges imposed a one-month driving ban.
In another case from 2000, a driver had to pay a hefty fine for pointing his middle finger at a traffic camera. The Supreme Regional Court of Bavaria saw this as an insult to an official involved in the process and sentenced the driver to 40 daily rates. (Bay ObLG, Az.: 5 St RR30/00)
The flash system sees everything
The road traffic regulations do not actually provide for penalties for insulting gestures towards speed cameras. However, a penalty for insult can be imposed if it is directly attributed to an individual, which has happened in the cases mentioned. Alternatively, if no complaint is made about insults, a higher fine could be imposed, because the speed offender can be accused of intent if he deliberately passes a speed camera with his index finger raised and thus intentionally too quickly.
In general, you should refrain from showing a middle finger in traffic anyway. According to Section 185 of the Criminal Code (StGB), this is considered an insult, which can be punished with the said fine or alternatively even up to one year in prison.