No alcohol at the wheel - Health Minister Philippi calls for zero-alcohol limit
Lower Saxony's Health Minister Andreas Philippi expressed his support for banning driving after alcohol or cannabis consumption. "The limit should be lowered to 0.0 for driving," the SPD politician told the "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung" (Friday). Consistently, in his view, there should also be a threshold value for the intoxicating substance THC of 0.0 nanograms: "Then one has clear relationships," Philippi said. The politician also advocates for granting both alcohol and cannabis only to those over 18 years old.
Following the partial legalization, there will soon be new regulations and penalties for cannabis while driving. Currently, consequences follow if THC is detected. A value of 1.0 nanograms has been established in jurisprudence. Recently, the Bundesrat passed a law passed by the Bundestag that sets a limit of 3.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood for the intoxicating substance. Stricter rules apply for novice drivers and those who consume a mixture of cannabis and alcohol. The new regulations are expected to take effect soon.
The nationwide limit for alcohol in road traffic is 0.5 promille. However, it is critical at a value of 0.3 promille when a driver shows signs of impairment or causes an accident. The zero-promille limit already applies to novice drivers and drivers under 21 years old.
- Andreas Philippi, the Health Minister of Lower Saxony, proposes a zero-tolerance policy for driving while intoxicated with both alcohol and Cannabis, as he mentioned to the Hanover General Newspaper.
- The new regulations for driving under the influence of cannabis will include penalties for those who exceed the 3.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood limit, as established by the recently passed law in the Bundesrat.
- The Hanover General Newspaper reported that Andreas Philippi also advocates for raising the age restriction for purchasing both alcohol and Cannabis to 18 years old.
- The current traffic law in Lower Saxony imposes consequences for drivers found with a THC level of 1.0 nanograms, but the Minister is pushing for a stricter threshold of 0.0 nanograms.
- Andreas Philippi's stance on drug policies, including his support for banning driving after Cannabis consumption, has gained attention in the political sphere of Lower Saxony and Germany at large.
