Strict Traffic Measures Implemented in Bremen: One in Every Thirteen Motorists Impaired by Substances
In a significant crackdown on driving under the influence of drugs, the Bremen police, along with support from various law enforcement agencies, conducted an operation named "Identifying drivers under the influence of drugs" from September 24 to 26.
During the operation, a total of 1,878 individuals and 1,555 vehicles were checked. The operation aimed to increase road safety, remove drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs from the roads, and strengthen cooperation and expertise in the field of drug recognition.
The operation resulted in the detection of a total of 79 offenses, including numerous violations of the Narcotics Act. One of the highlights was the recovery of a stolen Porsche Cayenne. Two drivers were found to be carrying large quantities of marijuana, leading to searches of their homes.
Several forgery offenses were uncovered by specialized document examiners. Additionally, 23 drivers were found to be driving without a valid driver's license.
German traffic law imposes strict penalties for driving under the influence of drugs, including cannabis, heroin, morphine, cocaine, amphetamine, or ecstasy. Driving with a blood THC concentration above 1.0 ng/ml is an administrative offense for the first time but can escalate to criminal charges if repeated or combined with dangerous driving.
First offenses of driving under the influence of cannabis can lead to administrative penalties such as license suspension or withdrawal and mandatory medical-psychological assessments (MPU) to assess fitness to drive. For other drugs, driving under the influence is treated as a criminal offense under § 316 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), which can lead to fines, driving bans, license revocation, and imprisonment, especially if impairment affects road safety or causes accidents.
The MPU is a standard follow-up triggered by suspicion or evidence of drug-impaired driving, focusing on abstinence and behavioral assessment. Germany imposes strict penalties overall, also extending to employers in cases such as truck drivers with drug violations.
If an accident is caused by drug consumption or a concrete danger arises, § 315c StGB (endangerment of traffic) applies, which can result in imprisonment of up to five years or a fine. Drug consumption can be reliably and quickly detected using preliminary test devices in sweat, saliva, or urine during traffic controls. Further controls will follow according to the police.
The operation did not provide information on the specific substances used in the preliminary test devices. It is important to note that driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs, even without noticeable driving errors, is an administrative offense. If drug-related driving errors or a danger to other road users are involved, it is a criminal offense (drunken driving), which can be punished with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine.
The police emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of all road users through such measures. The operation serves as a reminder to drivers to always drive sober and to abide by traffic laws to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
Science played a crucial role in identifying drivers under the influence of drugs during the operation, with preliminary test devices used to detect drug consumption quickly and reliably. The health-and-wellness aspect was highlighted as people driving under the influence ofdrugs can pose a risk to their own lives and those of others on the road. The general news coverage of the operation brought attention to the crackdown on drug-impaired driving, shedding light on the mental-health implications for drivers who continue to use drugs whilst operating a vehicle. Crime-and-justice was a significant focus, with numerous violations of the Narcotics Act and forgery offenses uncovered during the operation.
