Drunk drivers caught swapping seats on Frankfurt’s A5 motorway
A routine police patrol on the A5 motorway near Frankfurt spotted a car behaving erratically in the early hours of January 2, 2026. Officers pulled over the vehicle at the Niederrad interchange and discovered two men, aged 35 and 42, who appeared heavily intoxicated. The stop quickly led to serious charges after further checks were made.
The incident began when officers noticed the car moving unpredictably along the autobahn. The driver initially travelled at a slow pace before suddenly speeding up, raising suspicions. Police signalled for the vehicle to stop near the Niederrad exit.
Upon inspection, both occupants showed clear signs of alcohol impairment. While the car was still rolling, the two men had swapped seats, with the second man taking the wheel. A search of the vehicle revealed a flick knife stored within easy reach in the centre console, which officers confiscated.
The new driver was tested and found to have a blood alcohol level exceeding 1.6 per mille—far above the legal limit. Further checks confirmed that neither man held a valid driving licence. Both were taken to a local police station for processing and later released.
The two men now face multiple charges, including driving under the influence and operating a vehicle without a licence. Authorities have not released further details about potential penalties or court proceedings. The confiscated knife remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
