Drug checks on the A24: 46 drivers caught at the music festival!

Drug checks on the A24: 46 drivers caught at the music festival!

Summer is here, and with it the festival season that is revitalizing the streets around northern Germany. The big music festival took place in Lärz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, from June 25th to 29th, 2025, with around 70,000 visitors expected. As is usual with such large events, police carried out extensive checks to ensure security. The Ratzeburg police department organized the checks on the federal highway 24, supported by officers from Lübeck and Bad Segeberg. Overall, police officers were deployed on different days to monitor both the arrival and departure of festival visitors.

On the day of arrival, June 25th, eight police officers checked road users at the Gudow Süd rest area between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Even during the departure, on June 29th, the police deployed 20 officers to the Gudow Nord rest area, who kept an eye on the traffic situation from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On June 30, the inspection was continued with another ten officers in order to identify possible violations in the direction of Hamburg.

Impaired driving and drug checks

A central aim of the control measures was to check the drivers' ability to drive. This was all the more important as a total of 46 road users were suspected of driving under the influence of narcotics. All those affected were prohibited from continuing their journey and blood samples were taken. There were also three criminal charges for possession of narcotics and it was discovered that five drivers did not have the required driving license. Particularly noteworthy was the case of a 16-year-old Ukrainian from Hamburg who tried to change drivers when he noticed the control. The owner of the vehicle, a 43-year-old Ukrainian, now also has to face criminal proceedings because she gave the car to the minor.

The results of these controls once again show the importance of comprehensive monitoring of arrival and departure traffic at large events. As bargteheideaktuell.de reports, the Ratzeburg police department is planning regular inspection days in the future to increase traffic safety.

Strict regulations and tips for festival visitors

But dealing with drugs is not just a big issue when it comes to controls on the motorways. The 2025 festival year has seen an increase in police checks around festivals, and the measures are often very specific. Checks are often carried out before the festival, during it and, above all, on the return journey. Stress and anticipation are the order of the day here, as numerous vehicles make their way to popular events such as Fusion, Rock am Ring or the Wacken Open Air. With this type of transport, the focus must clearly be on traffic safety.

Visitors should be aware that during inspections the focus is on prohibited possession of narcotics and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to anwalt.de, it is advisable to carefully question your own ability to drive and, if necessary, to avoid using your own car. Especially after consuming drugs, it is advisable to leave your vehicle parked or to carpool. Responsible use of stimulants is essential when attending festivals, and keeping an eye on your own limits can contribute a lot to your own safety.

However, the legal framework should not be underestimated. In Germany, for example, there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for many drugs; Even the smallest amounts can have legal consequences. While cannabis has been legalized under certain conditions since April 2024, the use of substances such as MDMA or cocaine remains associated with high penalties. As festivalstuff.com highlights, festival visitors should always ensure that they behave correctly and, if in doubt, take appropriate tests.

Festivals are a highlight of the summer months, but safety should always come first. Even when spirits are high, it is advisable to act wisely and responsibly - not only for your own safety, but also for that of other road users.