What do I need to take into account when participating in a car parade?
We remember the year 2014 when we became world champions. In the city centers there were numerous car parades with cheering passengers. Are they even allowed? The question can be answered with a very clear “yes”. Actually, car parades require permission from the highway authorities, as they are classified as “special use of road space.”
But as we all know, these convoy journeys arise spontaneously from a cheerful mood. For this purpose, the road traffic regulations provide for an emergency regulation (Article 44, paragraph 2), which gives the police discretion. Therefore, car parades can be permitted and experience shows that this is the case.
Of course, the usual traffic rules also apply to car convoys. Specifically, this means that you cannot run red lights, drivers must adhere to the specified speed, and the usual blood alcohol limits apply, which are 0.5 and 0.0 for new drivers.
But be careful: if you have a blood alcohol level of 0.3 per mille, you can be fined and have your driving licence revoked if alcohol-related offences or an accident occur. And from 0.5 per mille, even without an accident, you are subject to a fine, points in Flensburg and a driving ban.
But the rules go further: during the parade all signs, including stop signs, must be respected. The obligation to use a seat belt also applies without restriction to all vehicle occupants; And, of course, only as many people can sit in the car as there are seats with belts. If a passenger is injured in a rear-end collision because he or she was not wearing a seat belt, this may be considered contributory negligence. Then he himself could be responsible for the consequences.
Is it allowed to sit in the door as a passenger with the window open?
It is absolutely taboo to climb onto the window frame, bonnet or roof of a car while driving, or to stand in a convertible while driving. In fact, it is not permitted to stick your upper body out of the vehicle window; you must wait for the authorities to intervene.
Can I use a dash cam to document possible damage to my car?
There is even a groundbreaking ruling from 2017: at that time, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) admitted dashcam video as evidence. However, the ruling does not mean that all video recordings from the small cameras must be admitted in court hearings. Permanent filming of traffic events remains prohibited because it violates data protection law. Therefore, I recommend devices that repeatedly overwrite and delete recordings.
Only the relevant passages should be saved in the event of an accident. Good cameras detect vibration during an emergency stop and even automatically save the corresponding film sequence. In each individual case, judges must weigh up the interest in providing information against the protection of personal rights, such as: B. the right to one's own image and informational self-determination.
Tobias Klingelhöfer is a lawyer and has been working as a legal expert for ARAG for many years. As a guest columnist for FOCUS Online, he informs consumers about their rights and obligations in various life situations.
Is it legal to honk for fun?
However, honking for no reason is usually a misdemeanor. But if things are civilized, it is quite possible that the police will act leniently after a victory at a trumpet concert, as happened in 2014. However, I would advise you not to overdo it and avoid using your horn, especially in residential areas and late at night.
Are there any legal requirements regarding the size of flags that can be flown on the sunroof?
Of course, displaying the flag is part of sporting events such as the European Football Championship. It is also part of the flag inside and outside the vehicle. But the driver must not be affected by the flag while driving. The Road Traffic Regulations (Article 23) stipulate that passengers must not impair the driver's vision and hearing. If the passengers become so excited that safe driving is impossible, the only option is to leave the parade and end the ride.
Vehicles displaying the flag must not be more than 2.55 metres wide or more than three metres long. This means that flags flying behind the vehicle must be fitted with an additional bright red pennant or flag if they extend more than one metre above the rear lights. If they protrude more than 40 centimetres laterally from the vehicle, they should in theory be illuminated at night, as is the case with vehicles that are too wide.
Anyone displaying the flag on their car during the European Championship will be held liable in case the flag is torn or causes damage to the following vehicle due to incorrect placement, as the car decoration is not TÜV-approved. Anyone who decorates their bonnet with a flag should secure it well for the caravan, but it is best to remove it completely for longer journeys, especially before driving on the motorway. The material is not designed to withstand such loads and can really cause a lot of problems if an accident occurs as a result.
This also applies to fixing a plastic flag holder in the window recess. Not only can they easily come loose while driving, but the holders also increase the risk of theft. And car insurance may not have to cover the damage in the event of theft through the marked car window.
If your view is limited by your favourite flag on the rear window, you can temporarily help yourself by looking in the exterior mirrors. After the caravan, you should quickly remove the cloth from there. In the case of decorations on the windscreen, such as stickers or pennants, the owner and driver are obliged to ensure an unobstructed view.