German Drunk Driving Laws
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Germany has strict laws governing drunken driving.
german flag image by A74.FR Ben Fontaine from Fotolia.com
According to the U.S. Embassy in Germany, Germany has the most traffic volume in Europe, as well as the highest injury-accident rate. In 2007, Deutsch Welle reported that an average of 20,000 alcohol-related traffic accidents occurred in Germany per year. In response to this growing trend, the German government has enforced strict penalties for individuals caught driving under the influence.
Legal Limits
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The amount of alcohol it takes to exceed the legal limit depends on the particular individual.
Bottle with beer beer on a white reflecting surface image by Alexander Oshvintsev from Fotolia.com
The legal BAC, or blood alcohol content, for drivers in Germany is .05 percent. However, if an individual is charged with another traffic offense the legal limit drops to .03 percent.
An article on Oconus.com writes that an average sized man or woman would reach a BAC of .05 percent with two German wines or three medium-sized German beers. However, it is important to note that BACs are dependent on several factors, including an individual's weight and sex. Two individuals who drink equal amounts may have drastically different BACs.
Checkpoints
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German police often set up drunken driving checkpoints after beer and wine festivals and near other known drinking spots. Preliminary sobriety tests, such as walking a straight line, which are common in the U.S., are often omitted by the German police, and a breathalyzer is administered immediately.
A mandatory blood sample is also taken. Regardless of citizenship, there is no way to opt out of the blood-sample test.
Penalties
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The penalty for being caught driving under the influence is a fine and license suspension. An individual's license is suspended from the point of the incident until the court date. The amount of the fine and the length of the license suspension is dependent on the gravity of the crime. For example, an individual driving with a BAC of .1 percent and above can have his license suspended indefinitely. On average, fines range, in 2010, from $800 to $2,000 and the time of license suspension ranges from six to 12 months.
Stricter Laws for New Drivers
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In 2007, Deutsche Welle reported that studies revealed newly qualified drivers ages 18 to 24 were responsible for more than 30 percent of traffic-related incidents in Germany. In response, the German government began a zero-tolerance policy toward driving under the influence be new drivers.
Under the new policy, drivers who have had their license for less than two years and are caught driving with any amount of alcohol in their system face a fine of $154 and the individual's name is put in a database of traffic offenders.
Additionally, the young driver's license probation period is extended for four years and he must take a course in traffic behavior that costs $554
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- Photo Credit german flag image by A74.FR Ben Fontaine from Fotolia.com Bottle with beer beer on a white reflecting surface image by Alexander Oshvintsev from Fotolia.com
