Anyone traveling in the wrong direction on the road is considered to be driving the wrong way – or in common parlance, a ghost driver. Accident statistics show that wrong-way drivers cause a large number of accidents in germany: legally and also in terms of traffic, this gives rise to numerous aspects.
Regular warnings about wrong-way drivers on the radio make it clear that ghost drivers unfortunately, this is part of everyday life in road traffic. driving against the direction of travel can be quite different causes have. Regardless of how the motorist becomes a ghost driver, however, driving the wrong way almost always involves a danger of the road traffic given.
Under certain circumstances, this misconduct is even covered by Section 315c of the German Criminal Code (stgb), if there is a concrete danger to life or limb in the course of the ghost drive or if property of significant value is damaged. Accordingly, when driving against the direction of travel by no means around a so-called "kavaliersdelikt – legally, in these cases, the wrong-way driver becomes the perpetrator of an offence within the meaning of the above-mentioned provision.
What do I do if there is a wrong-way driver on my route??
Is a wrong-way driver on the road, then the other road users can be helped by prudent behavior do a lot yourself to prevent an accident from happening. These include, for example:
- Reducing one’s own speed
- Anticipatory and defensive driving
- Keeping a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front of you
- Avoiding overtaking
- Driving in the right-hand lane and there on the right-hand side
- If applicable. Turn on hazard warning lights.
If you are not able to assess the situation with certainty, you should take the following precautions the next time you leave the highway depart or a parking space visit. Wait there until the situation has calmed down – the traffic radio will let you know when the wrong-way driver is no longer on the road. Therefore, be sure to have the radio switched on. Depending on the model also gives the navigation device information and is accordingly an alternative to traffic radio.
what can i do if i become a ghost driver myself?
Unclear traffic junctions can be the reason for unintentional ghost driving.
A brief moment of inattention – and car drivers quickly and unintentionally become wrong-way drivers. Particularly dangerous places are regularly at freeway slip roads given: especially when the motorist does not know the course of the traffic and the signage is not clear, mistakes happen here. these can then also lead the car driver in the wrong direction.
However, wrong-way drivers do not always drive in the wrong direction by mistake: the statistics show that drivers can also deliberately take the wrong route and become wrong-way drivers – this includes, for example, the escape in front of the police, but also the avoidance of traffic hazards or. traffic jams.
If you find yourself as wrong way driver are traveling in the opposite direction of the road, it should be remain calm and following rules take to heart:
- turn on hazard lights and reduce speed
- Do not turn around, but drive carefully to the shoulder and park the car
- Call police emergency and request help
- Wait until the police arrive
What penalties do ghost drivers face?
The danger posed by a wrong-way driver is not to be underestimated – after all it happens at every second accident with a ghost driver to a personal injury. Incidentally, it is noticeable that older drivers are more likely than average to become wrong-way drivers: complex traffic routing often plays a role here, but also the declining ability to concentrate and react with age.
The legislator takes severe action against wrong-way drivers: according to § 315c stgb, wrong-way drivers can be sentenced to up to five years’ imprisonment if they drive the wrong way on the freeway in a grossly irregular and reckless manner and there is also a concrete danger to life or limb or if property of significant value is damaged. The case law of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) assumes a value limit of 750 euros. The value is to be considered only as a vague indication.
However, not every wrong turn is a offense – this applies, for example, if the ghost driver is involved in a no precept or. No gross negligence can be accused and the wrong way trip can be regarded as a crime offence is classified. But even then, the motorist must expect severe sanctions, which depend on the specific case constellation: