Drugs at the wheel: A9 control near Schleiz
On Tuesday evening, a 46-year-old driver of an Opel was checked by the Thuringia motorway police on the A9 motorway towards Berlin in the Schleiz area. During a routine inspection, officers established that the man did not hold a valid driving licence. He also confirmed this himself during the course of the control. In addition, the 46-year-old was carrying approximately 11.5 grams of marijuana and was under the influence of narcotics.
The incident occurred on the A9, one of the most important north-south connections in Thuringia, which handles traffic between Berlin and southern Germany. Near Schleiz, a small town in the Saale-Orla district close to the Bavarian border, the motorway police and Thuringia police regularly carry out traffic controls. On heavily used routes with high through traffic, officers deliberately use such measures to uncover traffic offences and journeys under the influence of intoxicating substances.
Course of the evening control on the A9
The control took place on Tuesday evening, a time when commuter traffic subsides but numerous vehicles continue to use the motorway. The 46-year-old Opel driver was stopped by motorway police officers and subjected to a comprehensive inspection. From the outset of the control, several indications emerged of serious violations of road traffic regulations and narcotics law.
Initially, it became apparent that the man was not in possession of a valid driving licence. When questioned by police officers, he admitted this fact. Driving a motor vehicle without the required licence constitutes a serious offence in Germany and endangers not only the driver himself but also other road users on the heavily frequented motorway section. Without the required training and examination, the driver lacks the necessary knowledge of traffic rules and safe driving behaviour.
Marijuana and drug influence established
During the further course of the control, officers discovered that the 46-year-old was carrying approximately 11.5 grams of marijuana. At the same time, according to police assessment, he was under the influence of narcotics. Cannabis significantly impairs reaction time, concentration and spatial orientation. On a motorway with high speeds and dense traffic, such impairment can create life-threatening situations for the driver and other road users.
The combination of lacking a driving licence, drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs considerably increases the legal severity of the case. While possession of small quantities of cannabis can be decriminalised in Germany under certain conditions, this does not change the criminal liability of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of cannabis. Police treat such constellations with particular attention and usually initiate corresponding proceedings immediately.
Legal foundations in road traffic
Journeys under the influence of narcotics are prosecuted in Germany under Section 24a of the Road Traffic Act. Proof of THC in the blood can already be sufficient to initiate proceedings. Unlike alcohol, there is no flat-rate per mille limit; defined threshold values for active THC substances and their breakdown products are decisive. At the same time, possession of marijuana can have criminal consequences if permitted quantities are exceeded or further circumstances apply.
Driving without a licence is prosecuted as an administrative offence or criminal offence, depending on prior history and the circumstances of the individual case. When several violations occur simultaneously, as in the present case, those affected must answer in multiple proceedings. The responsible driving licence authority will be informed of the incident in order to examine the man's fitness to drive and take measures if necessary.
Blood sample and further course of events
Following the findings, officers ordered a blood sample to forensically secure the drug influence. Rapid tests and visible signs alone are not sufficient for a final legal assessment; the laboratory examination forms the decisive proof for the subsequent proceedings. The blood sample serves as reliable evidence both for the administrative offence procedure for driving under the influence of drugs and for possible criminal investigations in connection with the marijuana found.
Notably, after the blood sample was taken, the 46-year-old continued his journey by train. Police apparently prohibited him from continuing his journey with the Opel on the motorway. This immediate measure serves to protect other road users directly and prevents a driver classified as unfit from re-entering traffic immediately after the control. The vehicle presumably remained at the control location until it could be towed away or otherwise secured.
Motorway police and road safety
The motorway police in Thuringia is responsible for monitoring motorways in the federal state and relies on targeted controls to uncover serious traffic offences. The current case on the A9 near Schleiz shows that even seemingly routine traffic controls can lead to striking findings. The combination of lacking a driving licence, drug possession and driving under the influence poses a considerable danger to road safety.
Road safety experts regularly emphasise that journeys under the influence of drugs on motorways are particularly dangerous, as high speeds and short reaction times require safe driving. Thuringia police consistently pursue such violations and work closely with public prosecutor's offices and driving licence authorities to prevent repeat offences and ensure public safety.
Enquiries about the incident can be directed to the press office of the motorway police. The contact person is David Clarke Arias, reachable by telephone on 036601 70103 or by email at pressestelle.api@polizei.thueringen.de. Further information on Thuringia motorway police can be found on the Thuringia police website at thueringen.de/th3/polizei/autobahnpolizeiinspektion.
