Party hard—drive sober: Good advice, not just for Carnival

The workshop is known as “Aktion BOB,” and every year, in the run-up to Carnival season, the police use it to educate 11th-grade students about the dangers of drinking and driving. However, the content of the two-hour course goes beyond simply describing the dangers of alcohol and is, of course, relevant all year round.

Senior Police Inspector Thorsten Frey from the Regional Traffic Division of the Marburg Police Department spent two mornings giving very vivid presentations to two classes each day, explaining where dangers lurk for drivers, what behaviors to follow, and which ones to avoid. The entire project was organized by Steinmühlen teachers Heike Rabben-Martin and Nicole Hohm.

 

Also dangerous: old glasses, medications, and time pressure

Drawing on real-life incidents from the local area, the speaker described the tragic outcomes of car trips where alcohol was involved. But danger can also lurk from other sources. For example, many medications contain substances that impair reaction time. Outdated eyeglasses impair vision, and a leg or arm in a cast no longer allows for reliable control of the vehicle. In addition to faulty brakes or tires—which must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm—distractions such as cell phones, children in the car, or restless passengers are often underestimated. If you’re pressed for time, it’s not a good idea to mention the stress or time pressure you’re under when filing a report after an accident. “By doing so, you’re essentially admitting that you intentionally exceeded the speed limit or, at the very least, accepted that you had broken it.” The police officer also warned against driving or continuing to drive while extremely tired: “Before you risk falling asleep at the wheel, please pull over!” (Hei)