When in Rome, do as the Romans do? When living in Germany, you need to know how to handle traffic violations in Germany. And it is really necessary to learn about the legal system and basic regulations in Germany to avoid making unnecessary mistakes. Next, let’s learn about important traffic regulations in Germany with My Career and what to do if you accidentally violate traffic laws in Germany?
Important traffic regulations in Germany
Right Priority
Right of way: Vehicles approaching from the right have priority, except as otherwise indicated by traffic signs, traffic lights or markings on the ground.
Pass on the left
From traffic regulation number 1 we know that overtaking is only allowed from the left to ensure safety while participating in traffic. The regulation is also very similar to traffic laws in Vietnam.
Pedestrian priority
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
Pedestrian areas are always given priority, except in cases where there are changes in traffic or traffic light systems (usually only during special events or incidents).
Bicycle path
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
In Germany, there are designated bicycle lanes, so even if you walk, you are not allowed to use them. Be careful or you will be fined.
Traffic Light Regulations
The general rule is probably used in many countries around the world: Red light stop, yellow light prepare to stop, green light go
In Germany, when the light is red, you must stop and obey traffic laws according to the sign system.
Warning you that right turns are also prohibited on red lights in Germany, this is not the same as in Vietnam. So if you are new to Germany, don’t forget to do it or you will get fined.
In Germany, traffic is strictly controlled by the traffic light system, even pedestrians are not allowed to run red lights.
Speed Regulations
If there is no speed limit sign, in residential areas the maximum speed allowed is 50 km/h, outside residential areas the maximum speed allowed is 100 km/h
There is no speed limit on the motorway, but you should aim for a maximum of 130 km/h.
Distance between vehicles
To ensure the safety of vehicles when participating in traffic, Germany has issued regulations to keep a distance from the vehicle in front. Applying the “One-Second Rule” to determine the safe distance between two vehicles: the minimum distance between vehicles in residential areas corresponds to the distance the vehicle can travel in 1 second, and outside residential areas, the 3-second rule applies.
Seat belt
All occupants must wear a seat belt at all times while the vehicle is in motion. Children must wear a seat belt in a licensed child car seat until they are 12 years old or taller than 1.50m. This also applies to buses.
Passengers of legal age who do not wear a seat belt will be fined $35. Children under 1.5m can be fined double that. Drivers who do not secure a child in their vehicle will be fined $70 and will lose one point on their license (as per Flensburg regulations). If more than one child is not wearing a seat belt at the same time, the fine can be as high as $80.
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
Traffic lights
All vehicles participating in traffic must turn on their lights even during the day, especially in tunnels or when lighting conditions are poor. They must ensure that both the front and rear lights are still working, ensuring that they properly function to light the way for the driver.
If a bicycle does not meet the lighting requirements, the cyclist can be fined up to $30.
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
Winter tire regulations
Winter in Germany is often very cold and snowy, affecting vehicles when traveling on the road. To ensure safety when driving in these conditions, it is mandatory to use special tires (M+S tires).
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
Using mobile phone while driving
Drivers are prohibited from making/receiving calls while driving or with the engine running without a hands-free device. This regulation strictly prohibits the act of driving with one hand while using the phone with the other hand, which is very dangerous and poses a risk to traffic safety.
Regulations on alcohol concentration
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. This regulation applies to all vehicles, with a Promille limit of 0.5.
Even with bicycles, if a cyclist is drunk while riding, his or her driver’s license can be revoked. The penalties for drunk or drugged drivers are very severe.
Violating alcohol concentration regulations can result in a fine of between $585 and $1,750, as well as a license suspension of several months or the deduction of many points on the driver’s license.
In Germany, the blood alcohol limit is 0.5 mg/ml. Drivers with a blood alcohol level of 1.1 mg/ml can be prosecuted and brought to court. If they use stimulants while driving, they can be prosecuted and banned from driving.
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
Horn when participating in traffic
In Germany, traffic participants rarely honk.
Only honk in special cases, for example: honk briefly to ask to pass, honk briefly when seeing someone crossing the street without paying attention.
These regulations also apply to “Light Horns” (flashing headlights for a short period of time).
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
New fines for traffic violations in Germany
On October 8, 2021, the German Federal Council approved a new framework of fines for road traffic violations.
Accordingly, the new fine level will be higher than the old level, so that people will comply with traffic safety regulations to the maximum extent.
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
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How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
What to do when the police check traffic in Germany
If you are driving on the road and get stopped by a traffic police officer, no matter who you are, you will probably be a little scared. If you are scared once in Vietnam, you will be scared ten times more in Germany. Don’t worry too much, stay calm and handle it!
How to deal with traffic violations in Germany?
First, when you see a traffic police signal to stop, stay calm. First, slowly move the car to the right lane and stop.
Then, turn off the engine, pull the handbrake, pull the window and wait for the traffic police to come and check. Unlike in Vietnam, be careful not to get into an awkward situation. Never put your hands in your pockets or hide them under the seat, don’t let the police misunderstand that you are using a weapon.
Only get out of the car when asked by the police.
According to traffic laws in Germany, traffic police are allowed to check driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, vehicle safety during traffic, and goods carried.
Police will check the safety of the vehicle such as lights, tires, rearview mirrors, turn signals, horn, etc. The items you bring in the car, the police can only check the small storage compartment in the front seat, car door when there is suspicion such as drug storage, illegal substances or weapons storage.
If not asked, do not talk too much to the traffic police to avoid misunderstandings, especially with international students and Vietnamese people who have just come to Germany to work, and whose language is still limited.
Even words of self-justification and apology can lead to disadvantages for oneself.
The law in Germany is very different from Vietnam. If you break the law, follow the law and pay the fine. Don’t explain, beg, or present too much. You probably often hear “You have the right to remain silent, but your words will be used against you in court” in foreign crime movies. Remember that saying in this case. And remember to remind your “teammates” of this.
If you are a student of My Career, please contact the My Career representative in Germany for support. My Career always accompanies and supports you for life in Germany.
If a police officer is caught using a phone while driving, he or she is not allowed to search the phone. However, if the police suspect that a driver has a radar-warning phone app installed, they have the right to search and delete the app on the spot.
Normally, people are allowed to refuse to be tested for alcohol and drugs. Police can only check a car if a previous drug test has detected stimulants in the owner’s blood. Anyone who refuses to be tested for alcohol concentration will have to take a blood test. If the result is below 0.5 Promille, then the breathalyzer is not required.
Hope the above article can help you when participating in traffic in Germany.
Stay tuned for more useful information about German, studying in Germany and life in Germany on the My Career website!
