Southern Germany Facing Traffic Chaos due to Tightened Border Controls
Anticipated bottlenecks at border checkpoints may cause delays in traffic flow.
Shift gears, drivers! Expect traffic jams and delays in Southern Germany, as authorities expand border controls. The Federal Police Union has warned that commuters and freight transporters will face delays due to intensified checks at the borders.
According to the union's chief, Andreas Roßkopf, stricter border controls are being implemented across several crossings, including the borders with Austria and the Czech Republic. The expanded checks are a response to the new Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, who announced stricter border controls.
The union chief emphasized, "Our top priority is to minimize disruption to commuter and cargo traffic, but there will be noticeable consequences." Border crossings and smaller ones that were previously not permanently staffed will now be subject to regular patrols, he added.
Long-distance buses are under particular scrutiny, as they are often used by people attempting to enter Germany illegally. When encountered, these buses are pulled over, and every passenger is checked for identification. Predictably, these checks lead to delays in traffic flow.
Small trucks are also in the crosshairs of the border control team. "All vehicles that can transport several people and where you can't simply look inside are of interest to us," Roßkopf told the press.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not see the tightened border controls as a solo German initiative. Germany will abide by European law in turning away immigrants. Merz assured that neighboring countries have been informed about the intensified border checks. "This is not a German solo move," Merz stressed during a visit to Brussels.
The border checks are reminiscent of the ones implemented during the football European Championship last year, Merz pointed out. Yet, Merz clarified, "No one in the federal government, including myself, has declared a state of emergency."
Sources: ntv.de, chl/dpa
- Border Controls
- Traffic Jam
- Irregular Migration
- Cross-Border Smuggling Networks
- The Commission has also been involved in the stricter border controls in Southern Germany, as irregular migration attempts and potential cross-border smuggling networks are under scrutiny.
- The expanded border controls are expected to contribute to traffic jams and delays, particularly for long-distance buses and small trucks, as they are regularly pulled over for thorough checks.
- Andreas Roßkopf, the union's chief, stresses that border crossings and smaller ones will now be subject to regular patrols, aiming to minimize disruption but acknowledging noticeable consequences for commuter and cargo traffic.
- During a visit to Brussels, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that the tightened border controls are not a German solo move, but are in line with European law, while assuring neighboring countries about the intensified border checks.
