Drifting in the snow: Police catch young speeders in Neu-Ulm!

In the Neu-Ulm district, several young men caused a stir on the night from Saturday to Sunday (January 5th) when they used fresh snow for unauthorized driving exercises, also known as “drifting”. The Schwaben Süd/West police announced that the young drivers were caught in the parking lots of wholesale markets in Weißenhorn.

Traffic offenses were initiated against the men and a fine of 360 euros was due. Another incident also occurred when an 18-year-old in Illertissen hit a company's access gate with his vehicle at 2:45 a.m. while he was also trying to drift. Police found tracks on the snow-covered road that indicated his initial drifting attempts. The damage caused by the incident amounts to a mid-four-digit euro range. The police emphasized that drifting is prohibited because of the dangers it poses for everyone involved.

Legal situation regarding drifting in Germany

The legal situation regarding drift maneuvers is clear in Germany. According to a report by Bussgeldkatalog.org, there is no special paragraph in the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) that expressly regulates drifting. Drifting describes a driving technique in which a vehicle is moved sideways to its own longitudinal axis in a controlled manner in a curve. Dangerous situations can arise on public roads, which is why drifting is not permitted in this context.

Drifting can be associated with various traffic violations that are recorded in the catalog of fines. Possible penalties depend on the administrative offenses committed and can include warnings, fines and points in Flensburg. While lessons in special drift schools or driving safety training courses are legal and may take place on non-public areas, drifting in the snow is not expressly prohibited. However, there may be penalties due to inappropriate driving and, in the worst case, there may be criminal consequences in accordance with Section 315c of the German Criminal Code (StGB) if you endanger road traffic.

For further information about the legal framework for drifting in Germany, see the article by Bussgeldkatalog.org referred.