ROADPOL Borken: 30 trips under drug and alcohol influence
The results of the ROADPOL control week "Alcohol & Drugs" in Kreis Borken are striking. Within one week, officers from the district police authority detected a total of 30 trips under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The measures marked the conclusion of a Europe-wide coordinated action week in which the authority in North Rhine-Westphalia took part. The aim was to identify drivers who participated in road traffic after consuming alcohol or under the influence of narcotics.
Europe-wide action week in Kreis Borken
The Kreispolizeibehörde Borken joined the ROADPOL control week in the past week, which was carried out simultaneously in several European countries. ROADPOL brings together traffic police authorities across the continent and regularly coordinates focused operations against dangerous driving. In Kreis Borken, officers concentrated on targeted traffic monitoring measures throughout the district. Controls focusing on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics were at the center of the effort.
Officers from police stations and the traffic service took part in the operations. They carried out checks at various locations in the district and responded to conspicuous driving behavior as well as tips from other road users. The action was not limited to a few checkpoints but was conducted as a district-wide measure spread across the entire week. The goal was to obtain as complete a picture as possible of the traffic situation in both rural and urban areas of the district.
Particular attention was paid to identifying drivers who participated in road traffic under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This included routine traffic checks as well as targeted follow-ups in suspected cases. Police used established procedures for alcohol testing and also deployed drug influence tests when appropriate. Every suspected case was documented and assessed from a legal perspective.
30 cases under alcohol or drug influence
During the action week, a total of 30 trips were detected in which there was suspicion of alcohol or drug influence. Police officers initiated corresponding criminal or administrative offense proceedings against the drivers involved. Depending on the severity of the violation and the measured values, this can result in fines, driving bans, points in Flensburg, or criminal consequences. In some cases, officers also prohibited further driving and seized driving licenses.
The number of detected cases underscores that alcohol and drugs in road traffic remain a serious safety problem. Even in Kreis Borken, characterized by rural roads, smaller towns, and regional transport routes, such violations occur regularly. Police emphasize that controls serve not only punishment but also a deterrent effect. Road users should be aware that trips under influence can be detected at any time.
The 30 cases did not involve car drivers alone. Drivers of other vehicle classes also came under scrutiny. The control week made clear that the term "driver" in traffic law is broadly defined and does not only refer to people behind the wheel of a car. Anyone traveling under the influence of intoxicating substances faces criminal and administrative risks regardless of vehicle type.
Four accidents under alcohol influence
In addition to the control results, police point to four traffic accidents in the same week in Kreis Borken in which those involved were under alcohol influence according to current findings. All four accidents occurred without third-party involvement: the victims fell with their two-wheelers on their own. Three people sustained minor injuries, while one person was seriously injured.
Three of the injured were traveling on a pedelec, another on an e-scooter. The cases show how quickly alcohol consumption on light mobility devices can lead to serious falls. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair perception, balance, reaction ability, and control over the vehicle. On two-wheelers in particular, the risk of falls and serious injuries increases significantly as a result.
The accidents illustrate that alcohol endangers not only other road users but also poses a considerable risk to those affected themselves. Anyone who mounts a pedelec or e-scooter after consuming alcoholic beverages often underestimates the effects on coordination and judgment. Police regard the incidents as a warning example of the dangers of driving under alcohol influence – regardless of vehicle category.
Dangers on two-wheelers and e-scooters
Many road users are unaware that e-scooters are legally classified as motor vehicles. The same criminal limits therefore apply as for car drivers. Anyone operating an e-scooter with 1.1 per mille or more is generally considered absolutely unfit to drive and commits a criminal offense. This regulation surprises many users who view e-scooters more as toys or a short alternative to a car.
Legal limits and consequences
Clear requirements also apply to pedelecs and bicycles in road traffic. Depending on blood alcohol level and vehicle type, different offenses may be fulfilled. In its summary, police explicitly point out that consuming alcohol or intoxicating substances and subsequently participating in traffic are fundamentally incompatible. This applies equally to cars, e-scooters, pedelecs, and bicycles.
Officers appealed urgently to all road users: anyone who has consumed alcohol or taken intoxicating substances should not operate a vehicle. Authorities regularly recommend public transport, taxis, or rides with sober companions as alternatives. The Kreispolizeibehörde Borken announced that it will continue to conduct targeted controls and take consistent action against traffic violations.
The measures serve not only to pursue violations but above all to protect all road users. The ROADPOL control week sent a clear signal in Kreis Borken: trips under alcohol or drug influence will not be tolerated and will be pursued with all available legal means.
