14-05-2025
Duck caught by Swiss speed camera for the second time
When traffic police in the Swiss town of Koeniz sifted through the latest batch of speeding offenders, they couldn't believe what they were seeing: it had happened again.
For the second time in seven years, a wild duck had raced past the camera at 32mph, breaking the 20mph speed limit and setting off the flash.
The mallard, which was described by the town council as 'a notorious speeder and repeat offender' was caught flying low through Oberwangen, on Wangentalstrasse on April 13, 'probably in a hurry'.
'We know this for sure because she was picked up and flashed by the radar at that moment,' the town council said.
Remarkably, it is believed it to be the same duck caught travelling at the same speed in the same location on the same date seven years earlier.
The council said: 'Colleagues at the police inspectorate were astonished when they looked at a radar camera image from April 13 2025. A duck had indeed been caught in the speed trap again. Seven years to the day later, at the exact same spot and at exactly the same speed.'
The previous incident made headlines around the world in 2018.
Police denied that the images could have been fabricated.
The town council said: 'According to the police inspectorate, it's impossible that the image or the radar system were tampered with. The computers are calibrated and tested annually ... and the photos are sealed.'
It added: 'We hope you enjoy pondering curious coincidences, criminal activities of animals and the maximum flight speed of ducks.'
Speeding in Switzerland involves strict penalties. Exceeding the limit by more than 20kph (12mph) in a non-built up area can lead to a fine of 240 Swiss Francs (£214). Much faster, and the driver can be charged with a criminal offence.
At higher altitudes, mallards fly at between 40mph and 60mph, according to Ducks Unlimited, the American charity.
The fastest a mallard has ever been recorded flying was 103mph.
The animal in question was migrating across southern Minnesota and south-east North Dakota in April last year, helped by strong tailwinds.
