Person hurrying across the highway at more than four times the speed of a walking pace
In a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence, a driver in Germany was recently stopped by police after being found with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 4.16 promille. This high BAC level, according to the Automobile Club of Germany (ADAC), poses a significant risk to life and can lead to loss of important protective reflexes, coma, and potential death.
The incident occurred on Monday evening at around 11 pm on the A67 in southern Hesse. The driver, who was behind the wheel of an Audi Q7 with a foreign license plate, was traveling at a speed of 220 km/h. The erratic driving of the car was reported by a witness who followed the vehicle.
Upon stopping the car on a parking lot next to the A5, the police immediately confiscated the driver's license. The passenger, on the other hand, had no measurable blood alcohol level, as the device shuts off at 5 promille.
The high BAC level of the driver was a cause for astonishment among the police, emphasizing the severity of the situation. In Germany, driving with a BAC over 4.0 promille is considered extremely dangerous and typically leads to very severe legal consequences.
At such a high BAC level, the driver is almost certainly presumed to be completely incapable of safely operating a vehicle due to severe intoxication. Consequences may include revocation of the driver's license, criminal charges for dangerous driving or endangerment, fines, and potential imprisonment.
The precise penalties depend on the circumstances but can include mandatory medical-psychological assessment ("MPU") (fitness to drive test) and long-term or permanent loss of driving privileges. Insurance claims may be denied and criminal liability can extend to causing accidents or injuries.
It is well established in German traffic law that extremely high BAC levels lead to criminal prosecution with severe penalties often including imprisonment and permanent license withdrawal. For instance, a case mentioned with a BAC of 1.54 ‰ (Margot Käßmann) resulted in license confiscation and a fine, indicating the severity escalates rapidly with BAC above the legal limit.
The ADAC has emphasized that a BAC over four promille can lead to loss of important protective reflexes, coma, and potential death. Over 1.1 promille, driving becomes a criminal offense due to "absolute inability to drive." In Germany, driving with a BAC of 0.5 promille or lower is prohibited.
In light of this incident, it is clear that driving under the influence is a serious offense in Germany, with consequences far beyond standard DUI fines. The public is reminded to always drive responsibly and never to get behind the wheel while under the influence.
