Major check on the subject of „Alcohol and drugs in road traffic“ in Bielefeld

Bielefeld - Sennestadt - Already on March 14, 2024, the traffic service of the Bielefeld police headquarters carried out a large-scale traffic check in the Sennestadt area between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. together with the LAFP NRW (State Office for Training, Further Education and Personnel Matters of the NRW Police).

The LAFP NRW held a training event on „Drug and alcohol checks in road traffic“ at the police training center in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock. During the subsequent practical implementation of the checks at the fire station in Bielefeld Sennestadt, the training participants supported the officers of the Bielefeld police.

Several drivers driving under the influence of drugs

A total of eight drivers had to give blood samples because they were driving their vehicles on public roads despite taking drugs. Their voluntary preliminary drug tests were positive on the spot. A doctor was called in especially for this purpose to support the police officers at the checkpoint throughout, ensuring that everything went smoothly and quickly. The drivers who were found to have taken drugs were then collected from the checkpoint, as they were banned from continuing their journey until the effects of their drug consumption had subsided. They will also receive a letter from the fines office of the city of Bielefeld in the near future.

Seizures and expert opinions for several motorized two-wheelers

The rider and owner of a black Harley-Davidson, a 39-year-old from Bielefeld, had tampered with the exhaust system. As a result, the motorcycle was clearly too loud. A sound level measurement carried out on site confirmed the suspicions of the inspecting officer. The Harley was seized and examined by a motor vehicle expert. This confirmed the suspicion and the significant increase in noise was documented. The operating license expired as a result. This resulted in a charge and a fine. The 39-year-old will also have to pay the costs of the expert opinion, the towing costs and the administrative fees.

A 44-year-old man from Bielefeld was riding a 125cc motorcycle on which a so-called insurance license plate was mounted. This meant that it was not sufficiently insured and was being ridden without a valid registration. During the check, the driver also stated that he was not in possession of a valid driving license and that he had also consumed drugs before setting off. The motorcycle was therefore confiscated to prevent further journeys.

A 16-year-old boy from Rietberg in the Gütersloh district went for a ride on his father's moped. This was traveling at around 45 km/h. However, the young man was only allowed to ride two-wheelers with a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h with his test certificate. He therefore did not have a driving license for the moped. His father allowed him to drive and now both of them have been charged with driving without a license. The moped was also seized and examined by an official expert.

The officers also detected and punished a number of administrative offenses. These included, for example, not carrying registration and driving authorization documents, seat belt violations and various other violations.

Speeding violations

In the immediate vicinity of the checkpoint, at the fire station in Bielefeld Sennestadt, speed checks were also carried out at an elementary school. At the time of the check, 68 speeding violations were recorded in the 30 km/h zone.

In the case of the highest measured speeding offense, a driver had doubled his speed in front of the school and drove past the speed camera at 60 km/h. The catalog of fines provides for a driving ban, among other things.

Text & photo credits: Bielefeld Police Headquarters