In the future, police fines can be paid via QR codes

For a short trial period, police fines in the canton of Zug are only to be paid electronically, via an online portal that is available around the clock.

For a short pilot phase from the beginning to the end of September, electronic standard police fines will be used at the Unterer Postplatz in the city of Zug and at the Theresia car park in Unterägeri. The administrative fines with a QR code will subsequently be used throughout the canton, the Zug police said in a media release.

In the future, standard fines will only be paid electronically via an online fine portal that is available around the clock. From October, the Zug police will probably only issue fines in the first few months with QR codes, but without payment slips, and with a corresponding reference to the innovation in the form of an information flyer. "As we are currently in a pilot phase, we’re not yet able to make a final assessment," says Frank Kleiner, deputy communications manager of the Zug police, commenting on the innovation. "To date, however, we’re not aware of any negative feedback."

No more logging into e-banking or paying at the post office counter
And this is how it works: The QR code is scanned with the camera of a smartphone or tablet. The link that appears leads the users directly to the fine portal of the Zug police. There, the penalty can be paid by credit card or Twint. The payment process will become more efficient, because citizens no longer have to log into e-banking or visit a post office counter, adds the Zug police.

Instead of a payment slip, people will find QR codes on their car windows in the future.
Image:PD

A statistical evaluation is also not yet possible during the pilot phase. "So far, however, the system is working perfectly, and we are not aware of any problems," assures Frank Kleiner.

Payment slips can still be requested
In addition to fast and uncomplicated payment, other functions of the fine portal can also be used. Each issued fine can be viewed online. If a violation of the road law has been found and the fined person was not driving himself, the driver data can be corrected electronically, continues the media release. If you don’t agree with a fine, you can also make an objection online. The protection of personal data is still guaranteed, as no data is stored.

These newly created possibilities make it easier for those affected to complete the formalities of administrative fines. If you don’t want to pay the fine online, you can still request a payment slip. "Older people in particular are increasingly using digital payment options," says Kleiner.

"We are therefore convinced that the introduction of electronic fines is an advantage for the entire population."

The Zug police issued a total of 20,440 fines last year. The new system should therefore not only facilitate their payment, but also reduce the administrative work of the police. "The introduction of the new portal will not eliminate any jobs, however. Thanks to the lower administrative effort, however, we save time and have more capacity for other tasks," explains Kleiner.

Furthermore, the new system is also a major ecological advance, because thanks to the electronic administrative buses, paper consumption is reduced. Until now, people received a fine with a payment slip and an indication of what kind of violation it was.

For more information, please refer to www.zugerpolizei.ch.