Aggressive pushing on the B3: 18-year-old in court!

Aggressive pushing on the B3: 18-year-old in court!

It was a completely normal Sunday evening, but an incident occurred on federal highway 3 in Nörten-Hardenberg that once again shows the problem of aggressive driving behavior in traffic. On June 29, 2025 at around 9:40 p.m., a 23-year-old driver and his 19-year-old passenger were driving towards Northeim when they were harassed by an 18-year-old driver. The young man drove up close and flashed his headlights several times, which was the first sign of aggression. What then followed was an overtaking maneuver that escalated the situation.

After overtaking, the 18-year-old braked sharply in front of the 23-year-old's car, which forced him to brake sharply. Fortunately, there was no traffic accident, but the Northeim police came to the scene when they found the two young men in a parking lot of a fast food restaurant. The two did not provide any information about the incident, which did not simplify the investigation. Proceedings were initiated against the 18-year-old for coercion in traffic, a now common offense that has recently increased sharply. According to a report by the German Road Safety Council (DVR), aggressive behavior in traffic increased by 3.5% in 2024.

Coercion in traffic: A growing problem

The current police crime statistics show that a total of 37,614 cases of coercion in road traffic were recorded in 2024. The number of unreported cases is probably significantly higher. Many road users, whether drivers, cyclists or pedestrians, experience mutual obstruction and inappropriate provocative actions every day. Stress, hectic pace and time pressure in everyday life also contribute to tempers quickly boiling over.

The President of the DVR, Manfred Wirsch, appeals to all road users to treat each other with consideration. Dramatic scenes in rush hour traffic are particularly noticeable, where aggressive behavior occurs particularly frequently. A survey shows that 63% of respondents want harsher consequences for potential abusers. Measures such as additional educational programs in the media and social networks are widely supported.

What is meant by coercion?

Coercion in traffic is anything but a trivial offense. This is a crime that can be punished with serious penalties, ranging from fines to a driving ban of up to three months. In addition, points in Flensburg are on the list of possible consequences. Surely everyone recognizes that pushing or intentionally slowing down other road users should be viewed as coercion. However, the exact distinction is often complex and depends on the intensity and duration of the behavior, as defined by the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court.

These incidents call for a rethink in the world of transport. It should never be the case that stress or personal frustrations are taken out on other road users. Society must learn to show more empathy for the people who work on the roads and thus contribute to smooth traffic management. Considerate treatment is not only a requirement, but also a necessity.

The incidents in Nörten-Hardenberg are another example that there is more out there on the streets than meets the eye. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we all need to have a good handle on how we behave in traffic and never forget that safety must always come first.