Law Enforcement Campaign Focusing on Alcohol and Substance Abuse Control

Hessian Police Increase Control Activity During Europe-wide Action Week on Alcohol & Drugs

In response to the partial legalization of cannabis by the federal government this year, the Hessian police have stepped up their control activity during the European Roadpol Action Week on the theme "Alcohol & Drugs," which is taking place from Monday, 16.12.2024 to Sunday, 22.12.2024.

During the action week, a total of 863 road users were checked by the police in the Police Headquarters Westhessen. The increased control activity aimed to send a clear signal for traffic safety.

A total of 56 violations related to alcohol and/or drugs were detected during the first action week, representing a rate of 3.5%. This resulted in 28 findings related to alcohol or drug consumption. The police have been paying more attention to the fitness to drive of vehicle drivers, especially in accident investigations and road traffic controls, since the legal changes.

One of the key focuses during the action week was on the numerous celebrations during the Christmas season and the New Year's Eve. For many people, mulled wine and other warm alcoholic beverages are part of visiting a Christmas market, but alcohol consumption should then exclude participation in road traffic.

The Hessian police will continue to contribute to ensuring safe traffic participation, even beyond the action week. This is the second Roadpol Action Week for the Hessian police in 2024. The first action week in June 2024 saw approximately 1,600 road users checked.

The aim of such action weeks is to sensitize all road users to their own responsibility and to ensure safe participation in traffic. The federal government introduced a legally defined limit for THC influence in the summer of 2024, with the current limit being 3.5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood serum. Drivers under the age of 21 are subject to an absolute consumption ban due to the legal changes.

The action week is being led by the Police Headquarters Westhessen in Germany. At the time of the Roadpol Action Weeks from December 16 to December 22, 2024, the head of the Polizeihauptstelle Westhessen was Björn Gutzeit, who held the position before Christian Vögele took office on October 7, 2025.

For inquiries, please contact the Police Headquarters Westhessen - Wiesbaden, Konrad-Adenauer-Ring 51, 165187 Wiesbaden, Press Office, Telephone: (0611) 345-1043/1041/1042, E-Mail: [email protected].