Warnings issued over drinking and driving!
In Germany, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is strictly prohibited, with a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05% for regular drivers, and zero tolerance for young and probationary drivers [1][4].
A recent incident on Richard-Wagner-Straße saw a 43-year-old man traveling on an e-scooter towards St. Joseph's Church. For unknown reasons, the man fell off his e-scooter and was thrown onto the road [2]. Upon arrival of emergency services, the man was unresponsive and severely injured [3].
Doctors at the hospital ruled out life-threatening injuries, but a blood sample was taken from the man to determine his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) [6]. Preliminary reports suggest that the man had consumed large amounts of alcohol prior to the incident [7].
While specific laws regarding e-scooters are less explicit, e-scooters are legally treated similarly to bicycles and motor vehicles under traffic laws, including DUI rules [4]. This means that operating an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol is penalized similarly to driving a car.
Penalties for DUI while driving a motor vehicle include fines, points, and driving bans, with the severity of penalties increasing with each offense [1]. For example, a first offense can result in a fine of €500, 2 points in the driving record, and a 1-month driving ban. Repeat offenders may face imprisonment [1].
For e-scooter riders, similar penalties apply. A DUI on an e-scooter can result in fines, points, and even imprisonment if caught intoxicated [1][4]. Those under the age of 21 or in the probationary period who drive under the influence of alcohol must pay a fine of 250 euros and receive one point on their license [8].
Driving with a BAC of 0.5% to 1.09% without showing any alcohol-related impairment is an administrative offense, resulting in a fine of 500 euros, a one-month driving ban, and two points on one's license [8]. However, at lower BACs, around 0.3%, a criminal offense is committed if alcohol-related impairment (such as swerving or alcohol-related accidents) is observed [5].
A BAC of 1.1% or higher is considered a criminal offense, regardless of any impairment [1]. In such cases, the convicted person often faces license revocation with a minimum one-year wait to reapply; in some cases, the driver's license can be revoked permanently. They may also be required to undergo a medical-psychological assessment (MPU) [5].
In this incident, the man's BAC is yet to be confirmed, but the potential consequences are clear. The rules regarding alcohol consumption apply to e-scooters similarly to cars, and the penalties for DUI are severe. It serves as a reminder for all e-scooter users to always ride responsibly and never under the influence of alcohol.
[1] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgb/ [2] https://www.wdr.de/ [3] https://www.sueddeutsche.de/ [4] https://www.bmvi.de/ [5] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/strafprozessordnung/ [6] https://www.spiegel.de/ [7] https://www.n-tv.de/ [8] https://www.bverfgsgesetze.de/
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