Emergency lane ignored: 68-year-old causes dangerous situation on A9!

Emergency lane ignored: 68-year-old causes dangerous situation on A9!

A dangerous incident occurred on Tuesday evening around 5 p.m. on the A9 near Berg when a 68-year-old man from the Kronach district broke through the emergency lane. The situation was tense as a traffic jam had formed on the highway following a traffic accident. The other drivers behaved in an exemplary manner and formed an emergency lane between the middle and left lanes to allow a fire engine to pass. But the accused driver ignored the warning signals and police instructions by driving his Mercedes van into the emergency lane.

“Exemplary driver behavior was jeopardized by a single driver,” said the police. Nevertheless, the man could only be persuaded to stop a few centimeters from a police officer. During the inspection he showed no insight or understanding for his misconduct. This had serious consequences for him. Criminal proceedings were initiated against him, including for endangering road traffic.

Rules for the emergency lane

The formation of an emergency lane is an important measure in road traffic, especially in traffic jams. Since January 1, 2017, the obligation to create an emergency lane has been anchored in the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), which stipulates that an emergency lane must be formed when traffic is at a standstill on roads with at least two lanes in each direction. This regulation applies from a walking speed of around 7 to 10 km/h. The police point out that failure to comply with this obligation can result in fines and criminal penalties, which can amount to up to 320 euros, plus two points in Flensburg and even driving bans are possible.

Another point that the police denounce is the often unwillingness to comply with this rule. A common misconception is that the hard shoulder is not allowed to be used without further ado, except in emergencies. An emergency exit must also be created on construction sites and narrow roadways. A lack of space can severely hinder the passage of large emergency vehicles, which can have fatal consequences in an emergency.

Consequences for wrong-way drivers

The conviction of wrong-way drivers for intentional unauthorized use of the emergency lane is not an isolated case. In a similar case, a person affected was sentenced to a fine of 240 euros and a one-month driving ban because he drove down the emergency lane at a speed of at least 25 km/h. The court decided that the driving ban was necessary in order to have a traffic-educational effect on those affected. This ruling highlights the seriousness with which traffic violations relating to the emergency lane are treated.

With this incident, the Berg police would like to appeal to all road users to take the applicable regulations seriously and to act proactively in traffic jams. Regular reminders to form an emergency lane are essential to making roads safer and the responsibility for this lies with each individual. The message is clear: If you don't follow the rules, you can expect not only high fines, but also criminal consequences, which it would be better to avoid.