Positive cannabis test: Two e-scooter riders in Suhl
In Suhl, police controlled two e-scooter riders on Monday evening whose drug screening tests returned positive for cannabis. Officers from the operational support unit and the inspection service prohibited both men from continuing their journey and ordered blood samples to be taken. Administrative offense reports are now being prepared against the 18- and 25-year-olds. The cases underscore that strict rules on drug use and insurance coverage also apply to electric micro-vehicles.
First check in Mauergasse
In the early evening, officers from the Suhl operational support unit carried out a traffic check in Mauergasse. There they stopped an 18-year-old man riding an e-scooter. Police conducted a rapid drug test with the young rider, which returned positive for cannabis. The check took place at a time when evening traffic in the city center was still noticeable.
Because of the conspicuous test result, officers took the man to the hospital for a blood sample. He was prohibited from continuing his journey on the e-scooter to avoid further endangering other road users. An administrative offense report is being prepared against the 18-year-old on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. The final legal assessment depends on the results of the blood analysis.
Second check on Am Himmelreich street
Later the same evening, officers from the Suhl inspection service checked another e-scooter rider on Am Himmelreich street. The 25-year-old man was unable to provide valid insurance coverage for his vehicle. A drug screening test conducted with him also returned positive. Within a short time, police thus recorded two similar violations at different locations in the city.
As with the younger rider earlier, officers ordered a blood sample and prohibited further travel. Police are currently processing a report against the 25-year-old. In addition to suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, the lack of insurance coverage is likely to be examined further. Both offenses can be penalized independently and may, in the worst case, add up to significant costs and legal consequences.
Cannabis while driving: legal classification
In Germany, consuming cannabis before or while driving is also considered a serious hazard in road traffic. A positive rapid drug test alone is often not sufficient for a report; the blood sample provides the forensically usable values on which authorities and courts base their decisions. Even low residual values can be classified as relevant depending on individual tolerance and driving behavior.
The same rules apply to e-scooters as to other motor vehicles when they are registration-required electric micro-vehicles. Riders must be able to prove valid insurance coverage and must not participate in traffic under the influence of intoxicating substances. Violations can lead to fines, penalty points, and in serious cases the revocation of a driving license. Those who cannot provide proof of insurance also risk high fines and possible impoundment of the vehicle.
Procedure for a traffic check with a drug test
Police officers can conduct a preliminary test if there are grounds for suspicion, for example when driving behavior appears conspicuous or during targeted traffic monitoring. If the test is positive, a blood sample is usually taken by medical staff. Until the results are available, further travel may be prohibited to prevent an immediate danger in road traffic. The affected rider usually has to organize their own way home.
Rapid tests are intended as a guide and do not replace forensic laboratory analysis. Only when blood values are available can the public prosecutor's office or the fine authority decide on consequences. In many cases, evaluation takes several days to weeks, during which those affected remain uncertain about the outcome of the proceedings.
Police checks in Suhl
The Suhl State Police Inspectorate regularly conducts checks in the urban area to ensure road safety and compliance with traffic regulations. E-scooters are particularly common in urban zones and come increasingly under scrutiny when insurance documents are missing or there are signs of drug use. Thuringia police repeatedly emphasize that new forms of mobility are not exempt from existing traffic and criminal regulations.
The two cases from Monday evening show that several violations can be detected within a few hours. Mauergasse and Am Himmelreich street are in different parts of the city, suggesting that the checks were not limited to a single location but were part of ongoing monitoring in Suhl's road network. Such focused operations often target a combination of traffic and drug offenses.
E-scooters as a growing area of enforcement
Since electric micro-vehicles spread in German cities, police and public order offices have expanded their checks. In addition to speeding and missing license plates, drug and alcohol violations are increasingly in focus. Young riders in particular often underestimate that an e-scooter is not legally equivalent to a bicycle when certain technical limits are exceeded.
What awaits those affected
Administrative proceedings are underway against both riders. The administrative offense reports will be reviewed by the responsible authority. If blood values exceed legal limits, severe sanctions including driving bans and fines may follow. In addition, the 25-year-old may face separate penalties for lacking insurance coverage. Entries in the driving aptitude register can have long-term effects on mobility.
Questions about the report can be directed to the press office of the Suhl State Police Inspectorate via Anne-Kathrin Seifert. Thuringia police regularly emphasize that fitness to drive is a prerequisite for safe participation in traffic – regardless of whether the vehicle is a car, bicycle, or e-scooter. Anyone driving under the influence of drugs endangers not only themselves but also other road users and pedestrians in the area.
