Teenager under the influence of alcohol on an e-scooter causes multiple car accidents on Berliner Ring, with such occurrences reported in Bamberg.
Bamberg Crackdown on E-Scooter DUI: Strict Penalties Enforced
In the city of Bamberg, Germany, a stringent enforcement of laws against driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs on e-scooters was evident on the night of August 9th to 10th, 2025. The Bamberg City Police conducted thorough traffic checks, resulting in several incidents.
One incident involved a 15-year-old e-scooter rider found with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of around 1.18 per mille on Klosterstraße at 23:45. The youth, who admitted to consuming THC, was ordered for a blood test, and further driving was prohibited. A criminal proceeding was initiated, and after processing the case, the rider was handed over to her mother.
Under the German Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsordnung, StVO) and the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB), e-scooters are classified as motorized vehicles, and the rules for operating vehicles under the influence apply similarly.
For e-scooter riders, the legal BAC limit is 0.0‰ or 0.16 mg/l in the breath test, equivalent to 0.0%. A BAC of 0.3‰ or higher can lead to penalties if impaired driving behavior is demonstrated. At 0.5‰ BAC or higher, it is considered an administrative offense, leading to fines, driving bans, and points recorded in the Flensburg driving registry.
Driving an e-scooter under the influence of drugs is also prohibited, with penalties including fines, driving bans, and criminal charges if involved in accidents or repeated offenses.
Another incident involved a 56-year-old driver of a white car who was reported swerving on the Berliner Ring. Upon locating the driver at his residence, he was visibly intoxicated, leading to the confiscation of his driver's license and charges for driving under the influence, insulting, and threatening.
In addition to these incidents, a 22-year-old e-scooter rider was caught with THC and cocaine during a preliminary test. However, details about the car driver, including any substances found, were not provided.
Enforcement of these laws is carried out by local police and regulated by federal and state (Bavaria) laws. E-scooter riders caught under the influence may also face civil liability issues, and severe accidents or damage under influence can result in criminal charges.
This zero-tolerance approach to any impairment while operating e-scooters in Bamberg ensures safety for all road users.
- Strict measures for mental health awareness and reducing substance abuse have been emphasized in Bamberg, given the incident involving a 15-year-old e-scooter rider, who admitted to consuming THC.
- The ongoing health-and-wellness campaign in Bamberg seeks to address not only physical health but also mental health, aiming to inform citizens about the consequences of drug use, such as in the case of the 22-year-old e-scooter rider caught with THC and cocaine.
- In the light of the general news regarding the crackdown on e-scooter DUI, there is also a call for reinforcement in the education system to address crime-and-justice issues, as demonstrated by the 56-year-old car driver who was reported swerving and was found to be intoxicated.
