German Government Proposes New Reporting Rules for Traffic Accidents

Overview

• The proposal by Justice Minister Marco Buschmann allows drivers to report minor accidents digitally if no injuries occur.
• Drivers can alternatively report accidents at police stations immediately after leaving the scene.
• The current 'tätige Reue' option, which reduces penalties for late reporting, will extend to non-injury accidents in moving traffic.
• The proposal also seeks to decriminalize fare evasion, treating it as an administrative offense punishable by a fine.
• Buschmann's plan includes removing certain terms from the Nazi era in the penal code, replacing 'Zuchtmittel' with 'unrechtsverdeutlichende Maßnahmen'.