(sth) – Luxembourg's speed cameras cost more than 13 million euros to the government in 2016, it has been revealed by Infrastructure Minister Bausch in an answer to a parliamentary question by Green MP Josée Lorsché.

The speed cameras in Luxembourg have been operational from March 16, 2016, thus approaching their one year anniversary. In 2016, the cameras flashed 845 times per day on average, causing fines of between 49 and 145 euros and generating 12.5 million euros of revenue for the government.

Asked about the costs of this project for the year 2016, Minister Bausch provided a breakdown on Tuesday.

Total costs of putting the system in place amounted to 11.5 million euros. This includes the acquisition and installation of the speed cameras, the related engineering works and the creation of the 'Centre national de traitement' in Bertrange.

To this are added maintenance costs of 250,000 euros until the end of 2016 including costs for data transmission and electricity.

Finally, 1.5 million euros were spent for general costs related to printing and sending fines and the salaries of some 30 agents working full time.

The Minister however underlines in his response that comparing these costs with the actual income of 12.5 million euros generated by the speed cameras would mean over-simplifying complex questions of road safety and the real costs of grave or fatal accidents.