Border controls on the A12: blockages and new traffic routes!

Border controls on the A12: blockages and new traffic routes!

The discussion about the ongoing border controls on the border between Germany and Poland is gaining new momentum. Knut Abraham, the Federal Government Commissioner responsible for Poland, emphasizes that stationary checks must not become the norm. Given the declining number of migrants entering the Schengen area, some are asking themselves when these controls can be reduced again. But the reality is different: Germany has been carrying out stationary border controls since October 2023 to stop irregular migration and will continue to do so until at least March 2026, as tagesspiegel.de reports.

Poland responded to the German offensive with its own border controls, which were initially extended until August 5, 2023 and then until October 4, 2023. Knut Abraham even assumes that these Polish controls will be extended in parallel with the German measures. There is an urgent need to improve the situation on Autobahn 12 near Frankfurt (Oder), one of the main traffic junctions, as the controls lead to significant traffic jams. The IHK Frankfurt (Oder) has already filed a complaint about the burdens caused by the controls that drive around four million trucks on the A12 every year.

Traffic management and traffic jam problems

The Autobahn 12 is a central traffic route between Germany and Poland and is often blocked by border controls. Commuters report long waiting times and frustration with the controls in place. In order to improve the traffic situation, the federal highway company is working on a new lane division, which is planned for autumn 2025. Here, a hard shoulder in the direction of Poland is opened for trucks, so that a total of three lanes are available: hard shoulder, load lane and overtaking lane. It is hoped that this could significantly reduce the risk of traffic jams, reports rbb24.de.

In Brandenburg, Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke and Interior Minister René Wilke have long been calling for the creation of a third lane on the A12 in order to defuse the situation. These plans are intended to particularly benefit car drivers who suffer from traffic jams.However, whether this can be implemented in the near future remains to be seen.

Legal gray areas

In the wake of these developments, the legal basis for border controls is also repeatedly questioned. According to the Schengen Borders Code, it is possible to introduce temporary controls in the context of public order and internal security. But there are different opinions here. Police currently have enough staff to carry out the checks, although there are reports of overtime. The discussion about the legal framework and possible lawsuits against the controls is also ongoing in German courts, as br.de notes.

The topic of border controls between Germany and Poland remains exciting. Aside from the practical traffic problems, it raises many questions about future coexistence in the Schengen area. Returning to stationary controls in a region that has been considered a model of open trade and unfettered movement for decades presents a significant challenge.