Tips for drivers

When overtaking in built-up areas, drivers must maintain a minimum distance of one and a half meters. Outside built-up areas, the distance must be at least two meters. If in doubt, the motorist must stay behind the bicycle and wait for a wider section of road to overtake.

These requirements for the distance when overtaking are prescribed by law. At the end of April 2020, the amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) came into force, in which the distance regulation is specified. Previously, the StVO had only specified a “sufficient lateral distance” for overtaking cyclists.

Single-track vehicles are those in which the wheels are arranged in a line - i.e. exactly one behind the other. These include, for example, bicycles, e-scooters, motorcycles or scooters.

When overtaking single-track vehicles” (sign 277.1 StVO), bicycles, motorcycles and e-scooters may not be overtaken by car drivers or motorcyclists with sidecars. They must stay behind the two-wheelers until the ban is lifted again.

The traffic sign can be placed for reasons of traffic safety where special local conditions exist. These are, for example, narrow places, downhill and uphill stretches, or when safe overtaking cannot be guaranteed in traffic situations that are regularly difficult to survey.

A major danger for cyclists is that car drivers carelessly open their door after parking - without first making sure that no cyclist is coming. If cyclists are surprised by this and crash into the door, serious accidents often occur.

Before opening the doors, vehicle occupants should make sure that no bicyclist is approaching from behind. This can be done by looking over the shoulder and using the so-called “Dutch grip”. This involves opening the left doors with the right hand. This technique ensures that the upper body turns to the left when opening and the head automatically turns in the direction from which cyclists are coming. Passengers do the same - only they reach for the door with their left hand.

 Gernot Hassknecht (opens in a new tab), known from the ZDF heute-show, explains how this can easily prevent accidents.

Bike paths are not a parking lot - not even for a short time to fetch bread at the bakery. Stopping and parking is expressly not permitted. Otherwise you expose cyclists to unnecessary danger if they have to swerve onto the road.

Many accidents happen when turning. A simple look over your shoulder and in your mirror can save lives. Special consideration must be given to pedestrians and cyclists. Anyone turning right must also set the turn signal in good time.

By the way: cyclists are allowed to overtake cars on the right at a red light if there is sufficient space.

Cyclists are allowed to overtake waiting cars on the right at a red light if there is sufficient space. Therefore, approach a traffic light slowly and carefully.

Pedestrians have unrestricted priority at the crosswalk. If a pedestrian recognizably wants to cross the road, he or she must be allowed to do so immediately, if necessary by stopping to a standstill. After all, that is what crosswalks are for.

Sidewalks are reserved exclusively for pedestrians. Unless the signage allows other traffic, such as bicycling.

Pedestrians as well as cyclists are sometimes difficult to see behind parked cars, lanterns or trees. Therefore, parking must be at least five meters away from the intersection. For bike paths, the distance is eight meters. Taking a close look - stopping if in doubt - can save lives.

Turning vehicles are obliged to wait for pedestrians crossing the road. In order to make sure that no pedestrian is next to you and will be overlooked, it is therefore essential to look over your shoulder before turning.

As a pedestrian, anticipate the mistakes of motorists. If in doubt, waive your right of way. Because in road traffic, too, the smart one yields.

When getting off the bus, pedestrians could suddenly step abruptly onto the roadway. Children, in particular, are difficult to see behind vehicles, or can only be seen at a late stage. If a school bus or public bus approaches a stop with its hazard lights on, stop or drive past at walking speed. If the vehicle flashes and wants to leave the stop again, motorists must wait behind it and allow the bus to merge.

At light rail stops, many passengers only have the train in view. At crosswalks at bus stops, it is therefore always to be expected that pedestrians will still cross the road despite the red light.

Sidewalk crossings give pedestrians the opportunity to remain on the sidewalk throughout, ensuring that vehicles cross a path rather than pedestrians crossing a roadway. At road junctions or entrances and exits, pedestrians must always be given priority in these cases and extra care must be taken when driving.

Driving and parking on field paths with cars and motorized two-wheelers is not allowed!
Exceptions apply only for agricultural traffic or residents if the path is approved with the additional sign “residents free”.

There is often no room on dirt roads. Therefore, authorized vehicles should stop briefly at the passing points and allow oncoming traffic to pass.

As a rule, there is no speed limit on field paths. But due to the agricultural work and the multiple use of the field paths, driving at an adapted speed is particularly important here.