European traffic regulations: New cannabis laws in Germany and speed controls in Slovenia

Germany's Bundesrat has approved a law to improve road safety following the legalization of cannabis. The new legislation mandates that the degree of cannabis influence, measured by THC levels, be recorded in official traffic accident statistics for serious incidents involving injury or death. Drivers exceeding a limit of 3.5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood serum face fines of 500 euros, driving bans, and penalty points.

Research conducted by Dekra and TU Dresden indicates that while cannabis users may perceive themselves as less safe, they do not necessarily drive more defensively. Simulator studies showed that some users actually increased their speed and deviated from ideal driving lines after consumption.

In Slovenia, new speed enforcement measures are being implemented on major transit routes. The country is deploying section control technology, which calculates average speed over long stretches of highway rather than at single points. ADAC has warned travelers that these new controls on routes such as the A1 and A2 could result in significant fines.