E-scooter driver: Red traffic lights ignored-police are alarm!

E-scooter driver: Red traffic lights ignored-police are alarm!

In some major German cities, a worrying phenomenon is observed: E-scooter drivers are increasingly ignoring red traffic lights. According to a recent study by the ADAC, which was carried out in cities such as Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, 15 percent of e-scooter users show noticeable disregard for traffic rules. The data was anonymously recorded between October 2024 and November 2024 by using special AI cameras. A total of over 2,800 red light violations were documented, with e-scooter drivers most frequently rushed over the red traffic lights in four out of five cities, the report from Lippewelle .

in Hamm, a city that also suffers from this trend, has no systematic survey on red light violations. The police registered 426 violations last year, although the total number has dropped compared to previous years. Nevertheless, the proportion of e-scooter drivers among red light injuries rose to almost five percent. Traffic psychologist Ulrich Chiellino explains that this is often due to the use of rental scooters that cause costs per minute. As a result, the inhibition threshold sinks to ignore red traffic lights, especially on short distances.

the legal consequences

The violations do not remain without consequences. In a simple red light violation with an e-scooter, a fine of 60 euros and a point in Flensburg threatens. Qualified violations that occur when the traffic light is red for longer than a second even pull 100 euros and also one point. These punishments are part of the general traffic rules that also apply to other road users. In the ADAC study, it was determined that if the violations of the violations in the large cities, possible fines of over 150,000 euros and more than 1,500 points in the driving suitability register would be expected, according to another report by ADAC .

In addition to the financial punishments, frequent red light violations also endanger the driving suitability of the drivers concerned. The data show that many e-scooter users drive over the traffic lights at red, which massively puts their security and that of the other road users in danger. The increase in violations often occurs in phases with low traffic, especially near stops for buses and trams between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

A look into the future