Drunk driving: 53-year-old in an accident with a blood alcohol level of 2.84!

Drunk driving: 53-year-old in an accident with a blood alcohol level of 2.84!

In the early morning hours of July 8, 2025, a worrying incident occurred in Herzogenaurach. A 53-year-old car driver hit the vehicle of a driver who had the right of way while turning from Erlanger Strasse onto Membacher Strasse. His driving style was more than just clumsy; He pushed too far into the path of the other vehicle and continued his journey undeterred, without paying any attention to the injured driver. He only stopped after an urgent warning from the other person involved in the accident. This is reported by the Wiesentbote.

As the police discovered when the accident was subsequently recorded, the driver was heavily intoxicated. A breath alcohol test showed an alarming 2.84 per mille - a level that not only indicates a serious impairment of driving ability, but also a certain carelessness when dealing with alcoholic beverages. The driver had to face the consequences of his actions, including a blood sample at the Herzogenaurach police station and the confiscation of his driving license.

Drunk driving: a growing problem

Drunk driving is a serious problem in Germany. In 2023 alone, 18,884 people were injured in alcohol-related accidents. Over 198 people lost their lives, showing that one in 14 traffic deaths is alcohol-related. Significant problems with perception and ability to react can occur from just 0.5 per mille - a condition in which many drivers, as in the current case, believe that they are still fit to drive. The ADAC has highlighted the dangers associated with drunk driving - from impaired concentration to severe alcohol poisoning with levels of 3.0 per mille and more.

A devastating statistic shows that over 72 percent of the car drivers involved in accidents with personal injuries had blood alcohol levels of more than 1.1 per mille. The influence of alcohol on the ability to react and the risky risk assessment are often partly responsible for dangerous traffic situations. It becomes particularly problematic when medication is taken in combination with alcohol. The legal consequences are serious: from just 0.3 per mille there are legal consequences, which can range from fines to the revocation of your driving license.

A look at the accident statistics

The influence of alcohol cannot only be observed locally. A comprehensive study of accident statistics in Hesse shows that alcohol-related accidents are a serious issue in road traffic. In 2024, over 19,000 traffic accidents were registered there, of which 970 accidents with injuries were caused by the influence of alcohol. 12 people died. When you consider that over 50 percent of all traffic fatalities occur on country roads, it becomes clear how important it is to increase road safety and avoid alcohol-related driving. This is reported by the Hesse show.

Given all this information, it becomes clear that advice on road safety and how to avoid the dangers of drunk driving are very popular not only in Herzogenaurach, but throughout Germany. The tragedy of these incidents can only be avoided if all road users act responsibly - because ultimately it is about road safety for all of us.