Law enforcement officials at the Engstingen police station disclosed details about ongoing investigations.
In a significant operation on the Traifelberg parking lot on the B312, the Reutlingen Police Headquarters, along with other agencies, conducted a comprehensive check on over 150 vehicles and around 200 people between 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM. The joint controls, which will continue, aimed to ensure compliance with traffic regulations, vehicle safety, and legal requirements.
During the operation, several concerning findings came to light. Seven vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belts, a basic safety measure that is crucial in preventing injuries during accidents. The customs office suspected violations of the minimum wage law, black work, and customs offenses against reporting obligations.
One of the most troubling discoveries was a loaded blank-firing gun found in the glove compartment of a car. This finding underscores the importance of strict gun control measures and the need for drivers to respect firearm regulations.
Regarding driver compliance, five drivers showed signs of drug consumption and required a blood test, and two drivers were suspected of forging documents. The operation also highlighted the issue of drivers operating vehicles without the necessary permits, with five drivers found to have modified their vehicles to the point that their operating permit had been revoked.
Traffic police specialists cited 17 truck drivers for violations of driving and rest times, a critical issue that can lead to driver fatigue and increased accident risks. Furthermore, 14 drivers were caught using a mobile phone while driving, a practice that significantly impairs a driver's ability to focus on the road.
Vehicle inspections often uncover mechanical defects, which also contribute significantly to crashes. During the operation, a car transporter was taken off the road due to non-adherence to driving and rest times, technical defects, and overloading.
Common violations found during large-scale vehicle checks on highways typically include drug-related offenses, document violations, and traffic regulation breaches, with the most frequent issues focusing on driver compliance and vehicle safety. Drug-impaired driving, document violations, traffic rule violations, and vehicle safety defects are the primary areas of concern.
Data shows that more than half (50.3%) of all drivers killed in vehicle crashes who were tested had tested positive for legal and/or illegal drugs, highlighting the prevalence and danger of drug-impaired driving. Inspections often reveal issues such as drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) without a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), invalid or missing vehicle registration, and absent medical certificates.
Speeding, both minor and more significant overspeeding, is a major issue linked to increased crash risk; speed-related crashes accounted for nearly 29% of all motor vehicle fatalities in recent years. Failing to obey traffic control devices, such as stop signs and traffic lights, is the most common violation, with over 32,000 occurrences in 2025. Lane restriction violations, speeding slightly over the limit, and driving without valid licenses also feature prominently among violations detected in large-scale checks.
In summary, the large-scale vehicle checks on the B312 underscored the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, particularly in areas of drug-impaired driving, document violations, traffic rule violations, and vehicle safety defects. The operation served as a reminder of the importance of compliance and the potential dangers posed by non-compliance. The joint controls will continue, aiming to maintain road safety and ensure that all drivers and vehicles adhere to the necessary regulations.
In the realm of general-news, the operation on the Traifelberg parking lot revealed significant concerns related to driver compliance, vehicle safety, and legal requirements in the industries of transportation and finance. Five drivers testing positive for drugs, two suspected of forging documents, and seven not wearing seat belts are finance-related findings that emphasize the necessity of stringent regulations. The customs office uncovered potential minimum wage law violations, black work, customs offenses against reporting obligations, and a loaded blank-firing gun, shedding light on crime-and-justice issues. The operation served as a reminder for all to adhere to the rules, aiming to maintain safety in transportation, uphold the law in finance, and ensure justice in crime-and-justice matters.
