Two inebriated individuals are operating an electric scooter on the A40 highway.
In Bochum, Germany, a 23-year-old e-scooter rider from Dortmund found himself in hot water after a traffic control operation on Sunday, 10.08.2025. The incident began when the rider was observed on the A40 highway shoulder around 1:20 AM, causing concern for a car driver who called the emergency number.
Upon arrival, officers found the rider and two passengers, who had left the scene and chosen to travel on an e-scooter. The officers detected a strong smell of alcohol from the rider, and a subsequent breath alcohol test was positive, revealing a reading of over 2 promille. A voluntary drug test also showed positive for cocaine.
The officers secured the car keys and the forged driver's license of the 23-year-old rider and filed several criminal charges. The rider now faces numerous additional charges, including driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs, driving with a forged driver's license, and various traffic offenses.
A doctor was called to the station for a blood test of the rider, and it is expected that the legal proceedings will continue. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sober operation when using e-scooters, as operating an e-scooter under the influence is regulated under the German Road Traffic Act (StVO), which applies to all road users, including e-scooter riders.
The legal alcohol limit for e-scooter riders is the same as for motor vehicle drivers, typically 0.5‰ blood alcohol concentration (BAC), with stricter limits (0.0‰) applying for new drivers or in cases of dangerous driving. Violating these limits can lead to penalties such as fines, license suspension, and potentially criminal charges if causing an accident.
Riding on pavements is prohibited, and riders must use cycle paths if available. No driver’s license is required for standard e-scooters limited to 20 km/h, but obeying all traffic laws remains mandatory. Both the Bochum police and the Dortmund police will continue to consistently pursue persons who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, regardless of the vehicle used.
For cyclists, absolute driving impairment applies from 1.6 promille, and it is an offense to drive a motor vehicle without apparent impairment at 0.5 promille. E-scooters are considered motor vehicles, and the same promille limits apply as for cars or motorcycles.
[1] German Road Traffic Act (StVO) - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvog/ [3] E-scooter regulations in Germany - https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/DE/Verkehr/Fahrrad/E-Scooter-und-E-Rollschuhfahrzeuge.html
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