German traffic authorities are grappling with a staggering reality: an estimated one billion mobile phone infractions occur annually on the country’s roads. That projection, based on spring 2026 observations by the ADAC in five major cities, found that 2.7 percent of motorists and 1.4 percent of cyclists and e-scooter riders were using their phones while driving. The figure dwarfs even the most serious recent safety crackdowns.
The distraction epidemic comes just as a new helmet mandate for young e-scooter riders took effect on May 1. Anyone under 16 must now wear head protection when scootering – a rule the Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit (KFV) and the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) back with grim statistics. In 2025, more than 3,500 children were injured in traffic accidents; eight died. E-scooters accounted for 18 percent of those incidents, yet only 18 percent of young riders wore helmets. Among cyclists, the figure is 59 percent.
Police Sweep Reveals Dozens of Defects and Violations
Early June saw a major enforcement push under the European ROADPOL operation “2 Wheelers.” About 200 police officers in Thuringia set up 30 checkpoints and inspected over 600 e-scooters, more than 760 bicycles, and 430 motorized two-wheelers. The state police directorate reported 26 technical defects and 54 alcohol or drug violations linked to e-scooters alone. Additional infractions involved unauthorized passenger transport and underage riders.
Similar recklessness surfaced elsewhere. In Kassel-Nord on June 9, officers stopped a car driver not wearing a seatbelt. The check promptly revealed driving without a license and an outstanding arrest warrant. On the night of June 11, on highway B112 near Brieskow-Finkenheerd, a truck struck a female cyclist who had no lights – she suffered serious injuries.
Stricter Liability and a Warning Over Shared Accounts
While the helmet rule targets minors, lawmakers are also going after rental companies. The Bundestag is debating a draft law that would make e-scooter providers liable regardless of fault. The backdrop: more than 12,000 accidents involving rental scooters were recorded in 2024 alone. The same proposal may introduce a presumption of guilt for riders as well.
Insurance provider R+V warns of an overlooked risk: anyone who passes their e-scooter account to a minor faces potential recourse claims of up to €5,000 if a crash occurs. Rentals by under-18s typically breach the contractual terms.
Everyday Lapses, Deadly Consequences
The Amtsgericht Horb issued a criminal penalty order against a crane operator for negligent homicide in three cases. The incident dates to May 2025, when a gondola plunged 60 meters after a cable snapped during a faulty slewing maneuver. The operator received a suspended sentence and a fine.
Even visible safety gear does not guarantee protection. In Oberhausen on June 9, a ten-year-old boy wearing a high-visibility vest was struck by a car door opening into his path. He suffered minor injuries. Police noted the case as a reminder that mutual respect on the road remains essential, regardless of equipment.
