Micha Blitzer welcomes a new sibling into the family
Pforzheim, a city in southwest Germany, is set to enhance its traffic law enforcement with the introduction of a new mobile speed monitoring system named "Ella". This follows the positive experiences gained from the first Semistation, named "Micha", which has been issuing over 40,000 speeding offenses per year.
Ordnungsdezernent and First Mayor Dirk Büscher explained that the deployment of "Ella" will increase speed controls on Pforzheim's streets. The city council has given the approval for this initiative this year, aiming to increase safety and reduce noise for residents, particularly in nighttime speed reductions for noise protection or for 30 km/h zones in front of schools and kindergartens.
"Ella", like "Micha", is a trailer that can perform speed measurements around the clock. Initially, "Ella" will be used for traffic monitoring at schools and kindergartens, with its first station being in front of the elementary school on Hirsauer Straße. After its initial placement, "Ella" will tour the Nordstadtschule and Blücherstraße.
The Semistation can be programmed to control different speed limits at different times of the day, making it a versatile tool for traffic management. Those who comply with the applicable rules have nothing to fear, according to Jürgen Beck, head of the public order office.
Despite criticism from some citizens, "Micha" also receives positive feedback from residents where it is temporarily placed. The first Semistation, named "Micha", has had positive experiences according to the public order office.
"Ella" is anticipated to actively support "Micha" in increasing speed controls on Pforzheim's streets. It is worth noting that both systems supplement their monitoring efforts with mobile control vehicles and stationary installations.
The city of Pforzheim is not new to the use of such systems. "Micha" has faced vandalism, being targeted with trash bags or spray paint. However, the city hopes that "Ella" will be welcomed by many residents due to its potential preventive effect.
For detailed and current information about an increase in speed monitoring devices including "Ella" in Pforzheim, local government or police press releases, regional transport authority announcements, or local news outlets would be the most authoritative sources. Unfortunately, as of mid-2025, there are no relevant search results specifically about an increase in speed monitoring devices in Pforzheim or about "Ella" and its purpose related to this topic.
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- In an effort to further improve traffic safety in Pforzheim, the city will also integrate smart-home-devices and gadgets into its traffic management system, as both "Ella" and "Micha" are equipped with the latest technology to monitor speed around the clock.
- To ensure compliance with speed limits, especially in sensitive areas like schools and kindergartens, the city council is considering the potential integration of advanced technology, such as smart-home-devices, into their traffic monitoring system, following the successful deployment of "Micha" and the upcoming introduction of "Ella".
