Mass fines on Borskaya Dam outrage drivers

In the Nizhny Novgorod region, drivers are expressing dissatisfaction over a camera installed on Borskaya Dam. It began operating in July, and drivers have already started receiving «happiness letters» — speeding tickets for violations.

The camera records speed on a section of the Nizhny Novgorod — Shakhunya highway, where earlier a 50 km/h (31 mph) speed limit sign had been posted near an overhead pedestrian crossing. A forum user under the nickname «Ponchik84» said that all the neighbors at the dacha had received fines, and her husband also got caught. «The sign was there for a long time, they just installed the camera the other day. At the dacha, all the neighbors have been »blessed« with fines, and my husband also got one,» she said.

Another driver, Sergei, criticized the nearly twofold speed reduction on a suburban highway. «What justifies such a speed reduction nearly in half on what is essentially a suburban highway? Is there a pedestrian crossing or a residential area? As it is, you get tired on the road, and on top of everything else, you also have to look out for absurdly placed signs,» he wrote.

Another motorist expressed hope that he had not been caught: «I hope I got away with it; I was flying through there the other day.»

User «brooka» wrote: «On Gagarina Street they put up several 50 km/h signs right where the cameras are. On the Arzamas highway, at a temporary repair site, they installed a camera set at 50. Apparently, the quota for fines from cameras is not being met.»

Last year, cameras on the Oka descent in Nizhny Novgorod recorded thousands of traffic violations. The total fines exceeded 14 million rubles (about $155,600 at current rates).