If help is delayed because emergency services cannot reach the scene of an accident on time, accident victims may die or suffer lifelong health impacts or disabilities. It is the State’s duty to do everything possible to prevent rescue measures being made more difficult or even impossible.

As soon as vehicles on motorways and roads outside a built-up area with at least two lanes for one direction start to move at walking pace or come to a standstill, these vehicles must, in accordance with Section 11(2) of the German Road Traffic Regulations, leave a gap for one direction between the lane on the far left and the lane immediately adjacent to it on the right to allow police and emergency vehicles to pass (emergency corridor).

The Federal Ministry of Transport considers rescuing life and limb the top priority in the event of accidents. Against this background, the Ministry is raising awareness on the topic and on the correct way to form emergency corridors in particular via a supporting campaign entitled ‘Runter vom Gas!’ (Kill your speed) and on the media channels of the German Road Safety Council (DVR) and the German Accident Prevention Organization (DVW). Another measure available to the responsible federal state authorities are banners developed by the Federal Ministry of Transport with the German Road Safety Council bearing the word ‘Rettungsgasse’ (emergency corridor) for installation on motorway bridges, for example. The emergency corridor system is intended to give emergency services unobstructed and therefore faster access to the scene of the accident.

Both the failure to form an emergency corridor and the unauthorized use of an emergency corridor will be prosecuted and punished. Offenders will face a fine of between 200 and 320 euros and a suspension of their driving licence for one month. In addition, they can be penalized with two points in the Register of Driver Fitness.