According to a spokesperson from the greater Cologne area, by the end of November, over 6,000 fines worth €228.50 each were issued to truck drivers who broke the truck ban.
Another 1,300 cases are still being processed by the authorities. “The hearing process is complex,” the spokesperson is quoted as saying.
Since the trucks are registered to companies, the driver must first be identified. “In the case of foreign companies, the owner often cannot be identified due to the lack of legal agreements,” says the report.
The dilapidated Rhine bridge has been closed to trucks over 3.5 tons since 2016. If a driver ignores the ban, a barrier comes down and the truck is directed into a seperate lane, where a fine is due.
The bridge is in the process of being rebuilt. According to Autobahn GmbH’s plans, by the end of this year, trucks will be able to cross the bridge again without being fined.