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Drunk cyclist comes under police control in Bremerhaven
A 33-year-old in Bremerhaven was stopped for drinking and driving his bicycle and is facing criminal consequences.
Drunk cyclist comes under police control in Bremerhaven
A 33-year-old man in Bremerhaven-Lehe caused a stir on October 11th when he was driving in serpentine lines on Hafenstrasse under the influence of alcohol. According to Bremerhaven Police, the officers immediately noticed his uncontrolled driving behavior and led to a police stop. The subsequent check showed that he was clearly under the influence of alcohol. The breath alcohol test showed him to be completely unfit to drive, which ultimately led to a blood sample being taken by a doctor.
The police did not fail to take action: the man was banned from continuing his journey and criminal proceedings were initiated for drunk driving. The incident raises important questions about legal regulations for cyclists, which are often overshadowed by car traffic regulations.
Rules for cyclists under the influence of alcohol
There is a blood alcohol limit of 1.6 per mille for cyclists, as ADAC makes clear. Above this limit, you can expect not only criminal proceedings, but also a fine of around thirty daily rates, which often corresponds to your monthly net salary. For violators with a blood alcohol level of 1.6 or more in Flensburg, warnings also mean three points and the ordering of a medical-psychological examination (MPU). This even applies to cyclists without a license.
Things can get serious from just 0.3 per mille: Drivers are liable to prosecution if they drive conspicuously or cause an accident. Revealing statistics show that the proportion of drunk cyclists in solo accidents has decreased in recent years, yet alcohol remains a prominently recognized factor in bicycle accidents. Particular warning signs are facial injuries: These occur three times more often in drunk cyclists than in sober cyclists.
Drug influence and further developments
The discussion about reducing the alcohol limit for cyclists is also ongoing. Consideration is being given to perhaps lowering this to 1.1 per mille, as is the case in some European countries. For comparison: For drivers the limit is 0.5 per mille, and from 1.1 you are also classified as absolutely unfit to drive. Here too, alcohol is not the only problem. While an intoxicated pedestrian pushing a bicycle is not automatically a criminal offence, the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol remain undisputed.
The statistics show that between 1995 and 2005 the number of drunk cyclists involved in accidents fell significantly. Nevertheless, the number of 3,489 drunk cyclists in 2010 should not be underestimated. So the problem is still relevant.
In this context, it is important to be aware of the dangers of alcohol while driving, even when traveling on two wheels. So stay responsible and enjoy your evening without alcohol if you're going on a bike ride!