Brandenburg Announcement: - Two intoxicated drivers: passengers on Flixbus contact authorities.
In a shocking incident, two Flixbus drivers turned out to be drunk while on duty. Around 30 travelers, including a group of students from France, were en route from Berlin to Paris on May 28th. One of the drivers seemed suspicious even at the start of the journey, according to witnesses. As the trip progressed, he reportedly drove erratically, weaving across the highway.
Some passengers, including the teacher accompanying the French class, tried to get the driver to pull over, to no avail. A female passenger even called the cops as the situation became more frightening and the mood among the travelers grew tense.
Alcohol Levels Above the Limit
According to reports, the driver stopped the bus at a rest stop around 9:40 p.m. Police officers soon arrived on the scene. "The concerns raised by the passengers were justified," said a spokesperson for the West police department to "BILD." A breathalyzer test on the driver revealed an alarming BAC of 1.24%. The second driver, who was sleeping in the bus's trunk, had a reading of 1.09%.
Both drivers were clearly unfit to drive. In contrast to car drivers, there's zero tolerance for bus drivers in long-distance transportation, as the safety of passengers is paramount. A representative of the Brandenburg Police Rescue Service further confirmed the events to "t-online."
Finally, around two hours later, the frightened passengers were gathered up and taken to a replacement bus that took them back to Berlin. Flixbus spokesperson Sebastian Meyer stated to "BILD": "Naturally, we suspended both drivers. They are no longer employed by Flix." Meanwhile, the sub-company that had hired the two now-former employees was said to have terminated their contracts.
Unfortunately, the passengers' terror was heightened by the recent memory of a previous Flixbus accident. In March on the A9, a Flixbus veered off the road, resulting in four deaths, six severely injured, and 29 people with minor injuries. The investigation into the cause of the accident is still ongoing. Moreover, several passengers alleged a dispute between the drivers during questioning.
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The distressing incident occurred on a Flixbus journey from Berlin to Paris, with a group of French students as passengers. The erratic driving of one of the drivers prompted concerns, leading a woman to contact the police. The police arrival at the Potsdam rest stop revealed alarming BAC levels for both drivers, exceeding the legal limit. Following the incident, both drivers were dismissed by Flixbus and their sub-company.
