Shocking: Over 10,000 speeding drivers caught in just 4 days in Budapest

At the end of October, Budapest installed 26 new fixed traffic cameras across the city to reduce speeding and improve road safety. These advanced cameras caught around ten thousand speeding drivers in the first four days alone. The authorities prepared the public for these changes with announcements on TV, online and through press releases, not only to enforce compliance but also to encourage safer driving habits and reduce accident rates.

As we previously covered, the police have identified the main checkpoints where these new cameras will enforce speed limits, focusing on high-risk areas. These include major bridges such as the Árpád Bridge, both ends of the Rákóczi Bridge, the Buda exit of the Petőfi Bridge and busy roads such as Szentendrei Street, Üllői Street, Budaörsi Street and Váci Street. The authorities are hopeful of a significant improvement in road safety as a result of the focus on the busiest areas.

The effectiveness of these cameras varied depending on their location. According to 444.hu, over 2,000 offences were recorded at the Buda end of Petőfi Bridge, which is the busiest checkpoint. Other busy areas such as Üllői Street and Szentendrei Street also saw thousands of offences, while quieter areas such as Növény Street recorded only 48, indicating a lower rate of speeding.

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Recent speeding fine changes

Since mid-August, Hungary has raised traffic fines by around 50% to intensify the impact of penalties on offenders. For example, unauthorised overtaking now costs HUF 65,000 (EUR 158) (up from HUF 39,000 (EUR 95)), and parking in restricted zones incurs a fine of HUF 150,000 (EUR 365). Currently, fines range from HUF 50,000 (EUR 121) to HUF 468,000 (EUR 1,141), especially for extreme speeding violations. As Index reported, exceeding speed limits by a substantial margin, such as going 25 km/h over in a 50 km/h zone, can lead to a massive fine. Higher speed limits, like 100 km/h, also come with similarly severe penalties for violations.

Photo: deposiphotos.com

Authorities and traffic experts anticipate that these higher fines will make drivers think twice before breaking traffic rules. This is especially true for speeding and illegal parking, both of which often lead to accidents. According to KSH statistics, in the first half of 2024 alone, Budapest recorded 1,422 road accidents; while not all were due to speeding, non-compliance remains a major factor.

The Hungarian national figure is 6,867, which makes the number of traffic accidents in Budapest strikingly high, equivalent to the combined total of three or four counties. A big part of this is Budapest’s fast pace: it is one of Hungary’s busiest cities, where people often drive quicker to beat the traffic. Moreover, the city’s dense population naturally means more pedestrians on the streets, which adds to the risk of accidents. These factors make the high accident count unsurprising, given the mix of speed, congestion, and heavy foot traffic.

With the new cameras and fines in place, officials aim to cut down on violations and make Budapest’s roads safer for everyone. For drivers, knowing where these cameras are could encourage more responsible driving, helping them avoid fines and contribute to a safer, smoother traffic flow across the city.

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