E-scooters under the influence of alcohol: control in Ludwigsfelde is alarming!

E-scooters under the influence of alcohol: control in Ludwigsfelde is alarming!

In Ludwigsfelde last Friday, July 4, 2025, a police check caused a stir: a 42-year-old e-scooter driver was taken out of traffic with a breath alcohol level of 0.84 per mille. The e-scooter was also traveling with an insurance license plate that was not issued for the vehicle. The officers from the Ludwigsfelde police station prevented the driver from continuing their journey and initiated the appropriate charges, as Cityreport reports.

But that wasn't all: During a further check, a 25-year-old cyclist was noticed who was driving with an alcohol level of 2.52 per mille. In her case, too, further travel was prohibited and charges were filed against her. Such incidents raise questions and show the explosiveness of the issue of drunk driving, especially in connection with e-scooters and bicycles.

Alcohol protection in traffic

The regulations in Germany are clear: e-scooter drivers must adhere to a blood alcohol limit of 0.5. There is a strict alcohol ban of 0.0 per mille for novice drivers in their probationary period and drivers under the age of 21. Anyone who exceeds this not only risks a fine, but at 1.1 per mille it can even lead to prison sentences of up to one year, as Bußgeldkatalog explains. In general, drunk driving is punished with a blood alcohol level of just 0.3 per mille, with penalties ranging from fines to points to driving bans.

The penalties are staggered depending on the alcohol level. For example, a first offense over 0.5 per mille will result in a fine of 500 euros and two points in Flensburg. For repeated violations, the fine can even rise to up to 1,500 euros. This not only brings financial burdens for those affected, but also the risk of losing their driving license.

The seriousness of the situation

The latest reports show that the influence of alcohol on road safety should not be underestimated. An example from politics supports this: The Brandenburg CDU leader Jan Redmann was recently caught with 1.3 per mille on an e-scooter. The same rules apply to e-scooters as to driving a car, which means that if the level is over 0.3 per mille, there is a risk of punitive measures if you drive conspicuously, as [RBB24](https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/teil/2024/07/ Alcohol-tax-promille-limits-auto-e-scooter-fahrrad-rules.html) states. A sad reality that always makes headlines.

In comparison to cycling, where a clear inability to drive is determined from 1.6 per mille, the use of e-scooters is more strictly regulated. E-scooters are considered motor vehicles, which is why drivers must adhere to the applicable blood alcohol limits. This also applies to inconspicuous behavior: anyone who has a blood alcohol content of 0.3 per mille or more can also be punished.

In summary, it can be said that the regulations for e-scooter drivers should be taken very seriously, especially when it comes to drink driving. The penalties are high and the consequences can be serious. Driving safely without alcohol is not only required by law, but also protects the lives of all road users.