Danger to life on the Dresden railway: high voltage below 15,000 volts!

Danger to life on the Dresden railway: high voltage below 15,000 volts!

From Monday, October 30, 2025, the new Dresden Railway between Berliner Südkreuz and Blankenfelde will be supplied with high voltage. Strictly speaking, it is an enormous voltage of 15,000 volts – 65 times that of a normal household socket. RBB24 reports on the significant risks associated with this high current. Contact with such overhead lines can result not only in serious injuries but also in death.

It becomes particularly dangerous if you approach the overhead line systems at a distance of less than three meters. In this case, there is danger in the form of electrical shocks that are potentially fatal to the human heart. It is recommended to maintain a safety distance of at least 1.5 meters, as at this voltage the current can even jump through the air to the body, which is known in technical jargon as an arc.

A serious warning for everyone

Deutsche Bahn and the federal police have already warned several times about the dangers in railway systems. German railway emphasizes that entering railway facilities is prohibited as accidents often occur due to dangerous behavior such as climbing on wagons or trains. Flying kites or drones near tracks is also life-threatening - metal balloons can even cause short circuits.

There have been several fatal accidents in recent years, highlighting the enormous risk. A tragic incident occurred recently when a 19-year-old died in Kasbach-Ohlenberg after climbing onto a freight wagon. These and other fates make it clear that the desire for adventure and remarkable images on social media often has life-threatening consequences. SWR Current reports that young people and children in particular are taking big risks.

Prevention work is the be-all and end-all

Deutsche Bahn did not stand idly by. The number of prevention experts was doubled in order to specifically raise awareness of the dangers in schools and daycare centers. For example, the story of a young woman who survived an electric shock is used as teaching material. The education aims to raise awareness of the risks.

A preventative media package including videos, leaflets and posters will also be provided to raise awareness of these dangers, particularly among young people. However, it remains a challenge to fully educate the public about the dangers in railway systems and to reduce dangerous behavior.

In summary, it can be said that the high voltage area in railway systems should not be taken lightly. The risks are real and every day people are in danger when they approach these forbidden zones. Everyone can help raise awareness by taking the warnings seriously and informing others.