Drunk cyclist caused a stir in Wels - 1.78 per mille!

Drunk cyclist caused a stir in Wels - 1.78 per mille!

In the early morning darkness of June 12, 2025, the police in Wels were alerted to an operation. A 31-year-old Hungarian cyclist fell and needed urgent medical attention. The incident happened at 6:15 a.m. when emergency responders arrived at the scene. The cyclist had abrasions and was visibly intoxicated. An alcohol test showed a blood alcohol level of 1.78 per mille, which placed him in the range of absolute unfitness to drive.

The situation was immediately clear to the emergency services: drunk driving or, in the case of cyclists, significantly increases the risk of serious accidents. According to the information from DVR the risk doubles at 0.3 per mille; at 1.5 per mille it is increased 16 times. In 2021, one in 16 traffic deaths was due to an alcohol-related accident. The cyclist was given initial medical treatment at the scene, but he refused to go with the emergency services and instead signed a lapel.

Risks and consequences of drunk driving

The dangers of drinking alcohol while driving must be taken seriously. Loud ADAC In 2023, 18,884 people were involved in alcohol-related accidents in Germany, with 198 people losing their lives. Drunk drivers often suffer from a significant loss of concentration and perception. Coordination problems can be observed as early as 0.2 per mille, while 0.8 per mille can lead to tunnel vision and severe disinhibition. The condition of the cyclist in Wels, who was traveling with a blood alcohol level of 1.78, shows the high risks.

The legal consequences for drunk driving are clearly defined: from 0.3 per mille, there is a risk of fines or imprisonment as well as points in the traffic offenders' register. A measurement of 1.1 per mille or more can result in a driver's license being revoked for at least six months. The situation becomes particularly dangerous when alcoholic beverages are consumed in combination with medication, which further increases the risk of impaired driving.

Education and prevention

One goal of education about alcohol while driving is to raise awareness of the dangers. DVR notes that many road users view the risks of alcohol abuse as a trivial offense, meaning important information about the legal and health risks often remains unknown. Almost 90 percent of respondents in European countries are aware of the increased risk of accidents, but 31 percent said they had driven under the influence of alcohol at least once in the last 12 months.

The dramatic effects of drunk driving should not be ignored. The incident in Wels is another example of how dangerous it is to ride a bike while drunk. It is the responsibility of every road user to be aware of their own ability to drive in order to protect themselves and others.