German court: Driving SUV alone doesn’t justify higher fine

BERLIN (AP) — A court in Germany ruled Thursday that driving an SUV isn’t itself a reason for imposing higher fines for traffic infractions.

The Frankfurt regional court’s decision overturns a lower court’s ruling against a driver who ran a red light, which could have set a precedent for similar cases.

The lower court verdict in June argued that the shape of the SUV, with its high, box-like hood, meant the driving infraction posed a greater risk to pedestrians than if the defendant had driven a smaller car.

The driver’s appeal didn’t change the sentence though. The higher court ruled that the defendant’s previous driving convictions justified ordering him to pay 350 euros ($343) — almost twice the regular fine — and imposing a one-month ban on him.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up