Couple, influenced by alcohol, navigated A40 while en route to retrieve the woman's partner from a police station.
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In Germany, the rules for operating an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol or drugs are the same as those for motor vehicles. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille, and exceeding this constitutes an administrative offense.
From 1.1 per mille alcohol content, it is a criminal offense, with penalties more severe, including possible license revocation. Notably, from as low as 0.3 per mille, criminal charges can apply if the driver is deemed unfit to drive. For novice drivers under 21, a 0.0 per mille limit applies.
Regarding drug use, the same enforcement standards apply: driving under the influence of illegal drugs like heroin or amphetamines leads to an administrative offense. If the driver endangers others or causes an accident, it becomes a criminal offense. The same rules hold when the THC blood limit from cannabis consumption is exceeded.
Consequences range from fines and driving bans to criminal prosecution with potential imprisonment, depending on alcohol or drug levels and circumstances such as accidents or endangerment.
Last Sunday evening, on August 10th, a VW car was stopped on Essen Street in Bochum. Two friends of the driver were allowed to leave after the car was stopped, and the car keys and the forged driver's license were secured by the officers. The duo was later found on an e-scooter in front of the West police station, and they were suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The driver's license of the 23-year-old was found to be forged.
A doctor was called to the police station for a blood test of the e-scooter driver, and the subsequent breath alcohol test and a voluntary drug test were positive for alcohol and cocaine, respectively. The Bochum and Dortmund police continue to prosecute persons who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, regardless of the vehicle used. The e-scooter driver, whose age and hometown were not specified, is now facing numerous criminal proceedings.
It is essential to remember that alcohol remains one of the most common causes of traffic accidents. Driving a motor vehicle without apparent impairment at 0.5 promille is an offense. For cyclists, absolute driving incapacity is assumed from 1.6 promille.
[1] Source: German Road Traffic Act (StVO) and German Criminal Code (StGB)
- The health-and-wellness industry has been promoting mental health awareness, acknowledging its significance in overall well-being.
- In light of the recent incident on Essen Street in Bochum, the automotive industry and general-news outlets discuss the increasing instances of crime-and-justice related to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
- The finance sector is urging for stricter penalties in the transportation industry, following concerns about the rising number of accidents caused by impaired drivers, particularly e-scooter riders.
- Amidst the debate on the expansion of the e-scooter industry, concerns about health and safety, including mental health and the potential for substance abuse during usage, have surfaced within the health-and-wellness and mental-health sectors.
- Interestingly, the enforcement standards for drug use while driving are being revised in the industry, considering the growing popularity of alternative modes of transportation such as e-scooters.
