Overview
- The Deutsche Verkehrswacht issued a fresh warning ahead of Christi Himmelfahrt, citing a persistent jump in alcohol-related crashes on that day.
- Federal statistics counted 287 alcohol-involved accidents on the 2024 holiday, with 204 injured, 58 seriously, and one death, roughly triple an average day with about 95 crashes.
- The pattern is recurring, with 340 such crashes recorded in 2023 and 318 in 2022 according to the national statistics office.
- Many cases involve cyclists and pedelec riders, prompting advice for drivers to expect swerving or falls when passing groups on traditional outings with carts and bikes.
- The DVW calls for a 1.1‰ limit on bikes as an administrative offense, while current practice typically triggers criminal liability for cyclists only from about 1.6‰ without visible impairment.