On April 18, 2025, police across several regions in Germany, including Düsseldorf, Niedersachsen, and Bremen, are ramping up vehicle inspections in response to the unofficial motorsport season kickoff known as "Car-Friday." This annual event, which attracts car enthusiasts and tuners, has become notorious for reckless driving and illegal street racing, prompting authorities to take a firm stance on traffic safety.
The NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul emphasized the importance of safety during this period, stating, "Karfreitag ist Kontrolltag, denn Sicherheit hat Vorfahrt" (Good Friday is control day, because safety takes precedence). The police will be out in full force, with numerous officers and specialists trained to identify unauthorized modifications to vehicles.
In 2024, police in Düsseldorf conducted inspections on 70 vehicles, uncovering various violations, including illegal films on headlights and expired TÜV approvals. Speed checks throughout the city led to 1,238 regulatory offenses, with 256 fines issued. Additionally, officers recorded 74 more offenses and collected 39 more fines, showcasing the ongoing issues associated with Car-Friday.
Car-Friday marks the unofficial start of the motorsports season for many fans, who gather at popular meeting spots, parking lots, and closed-off tracks to display their vehicles. However, this gathering often leads to significant traffic violations and dangerous driving behaviors. The police are particularly concerned about the increasing number of young drivers operating high-performance vehicles.
A police spokesperson noted, "Wir beobachten auch, dass immer jüngere Menschen mit immer hochmotorisierteren Fahrzeugen unterwegs sind" (We also observe that ever younger people are on the road with ever more highly motorized vehicles). This trend raises alarms about the risks associated with high-speed maneuvers and the overconfidence of inexperienced drivers.
In Niedersachsen and Bremen, police have announced intensified controls, particularly targeting illegal street racing and dangerous driving. The Osnabrück police department will deploy a new unit, the "Kontrollgruppe Tuning" (Tuning Control Group), for the first time to specifically monitor technical modifications to vehicles.
In 2023, a car-poser meeting in Herne led to a major police operation, including the closure of roads and the A43 Herne-Eickel junction. This year, police are prepared for similar gatherings, emphasizing that public roads are not racetracks. They have stated that individuals participating in illegal races could face severe legal consequences, including charges of murder in the event of fatal accidents.
As part of their strategy, police will conduct inspections at known hotspots and use mobile units to monitor for violations. In Bremen, authorities plan to focus their efforts on the Überseestadt area, where traffic is expected to surge due to the event. They will utilize advanced measuring devices, video surveillance, and plainclothes officers to ensure compliance with traffic laws.
In the previous year, NRW police recorded a staggering 2,943 administrative offense reports and issued around 4,000 warnings on Car-Friday. The number of illegal races reached an unprecedented 2,270, with 578 of these resulting in traffic accidents. Tragically, 15 individuals lost their lives in car races in 2024, a sharp increase from three deaths in 2023. The average age of those involved in these incidents ranged from 25 to 27 years.
Police in cities like Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr are also gearing up for the event, planning to monitor known gathering spots such as Berthold-Beitz-Boulevard and the Heifeskamp parking lot. They aim to prevent illegal races and ensure that all vehicles on the road are safe and compliant with regulations.
The police in Oberhausen have made it clear that illegal racing, whether spontaneous or planned, is a serious crime. They reiterated that streets are not venues for self-promotion or reckless driving. "Illegale Autorennen - ob spontan oder verabredet - sind keine Kavaliersdelikte, sondern eine Straftat" (Illegal car races - whether spontaneous or arranged - are not trivial offenses, but a criminal offense), stated a police representative.
As Car-Friday approaches, police departments across NRW are committed to maintaining safety and order on the roads. With a focus on preventing illegal racing and ensuring compliance with traffic laws, authorities are prepared to take action against those who disregard the rules. The message is clear: safety takes precedence, and those who choose to break the law will face consequences.
