The European Championship 2016 begins! Please be careful of pickpockets...

Summertime football fever. The tension is rising and the European Championship 2016 begins.

Pickpockets!

The dark side of the summer fairy tale: Pickpockets are booming at public viewing events.

Professional individuals or groups specialize in cash, bank and credit cards or smartphones.

Pickpockets can be recognized by their typical searching look. They avoid direct eye contact with the victim and tend to look after the prey. The common tricks have not changed in recent years. The pickpockets seek out narrow spaces and are particularly common in crowds of people.

Especially with public viewing there is often a certain “looseness”.

Thieves and robbers use this holiday atmosphere, which is partly encouraged by alcohol consumption, to commit crimes.

The best protection against these criminal activities is vigilance and caution adapted to the respective situation. And especially for women: sensitivity to the phenomenon of so-called “dancing”.

Six tips from the State Criminal Police Office to protect yourself against pickpockets:

1. Be suspicious if you are bumped into. Don't get distracted.
2. Always carry money, checks, credit cards and papers in various locked inner pockets of clothing as close to your body as possible.
3. Wear handbags and shoulder bags closed on the front of your body. Never leave them unattended.
4. If possible, carry wallets concealed on your body. Only take the essentials with you.
5. Never leave your valuables unattended.
6. Keep an eye on your credit card when paying and make sure you get your credit card back. Criminals can copy them very quickly.

There is an increasing number of car parades through city centers, especially during national soccer team games.

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As a driver, please observe the applicable alcohol limits when using vehicles on the road.

Ten answers to the motorcade*

You can find the ten most important questions and answers here.

1. What should you pay attention to when driving a car parade?

The road traffic regulations have not been repealed. Traffic lights and other traffic signs must continue to be observed without any ifs and buts. According to Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, caution and mutual consideration must also be exercised during motorcades.

2. Are motorcades even allowed?

Theoretically, every car parade would have to be registered as an event, because unnecessary driving back and forth within built-up areas is actually not permitted and can be considered an administrative offense and punished with a fine of up to 20 euros.

3. Who is liable for damage?

Since car parades form spontaneously and unorganized after football games, each participant is responsible for themselves and is therefore liable for themselves. For example, liability insurance will cover if a scarf or flag comes off and this causes damage to another vehicle . However, if the person responsible cannot be identified, the injured party must pay for the damage themselves.

4. Is the driver responsible for his passengers?

If something happens to passengers because they are not wearing a seatbelt and/or leaning out of the window, the driver is usually liable for the damage. However, if the passenger is clearly at fault, they may be responsible in individual cases. The health insurance company will cover the treatment costs in any case.

5. Are horns and vuvuzelas allowed?

Yes, in principle you can make noise with whistles, horns and even vuvuzelas. However, you should be careful with vuvuzelas. With a volume of up to 130 decibels, they can cause hearing damage. That's why you shouldn't blow directly into anyone's ear.

6. Can you use the horn?

In Germany, honking is actually only permitted as a warning when overtaking and when people are in danger. The same applies to the use of headlight flashers and hazard warning lights. If horns are honked after football games, a fine of ten euros can theoretically be imposed.

7. Can you lean out of the window or sunroof?

Of course, the obligation to wear a seat belt also applies in the motorcade. Anyone who still leans out of the window or sunroof can be punished with a fine of 35 euros. If cars are overcrowded, fines of up to 80 euros and three points in Flensburg are also possible.

8. Are flags allowed on cars?

Flags on cars are generally permitted as long as they do not impair visibility. The decoration may not protrude more than one meter to the front or rear and may not protrude further on the sides than the rear-view mirrors.

9. What about large flags?

Large flags on the hood and wedged scarves on the windows are not prohibited as long as other road users are not obstructed.

10. Do the police also turn a blind eye to alcohol?

Certainly not. The fun stops when drivers get behind the wheel while drunk, thereby endangering themselves and others. Experience has shown that the police use their discretion and issue warnings or fines less frequently than strictly required by road traffic regulations. Nevertheless, those celebrating in the motorcade should always observe the traffic rules and the StVO - for their own safety. Drinking and driving is always taboo. Therefore, you should only go into a motorcade in a vehicle when you are sober. At least the drivers should have all their senses sharpened and optimal reaction times in the exuberant 'party chaos'. The police point out that a driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.3 per mille can be punished for drunk driving - if he makes a driving error or shows so-called signs of failure. If there are no signs of failure, driving at 0.5 per mille will result in a high fine (from 500 euros) and a driving ban - in addition to points in Flensburg. From 1.1 per mille, the driver's license is always revoked and must be reapplied for after the ban period has expired.

*Source RP Online Whether promotion, European Championships or World Cup – the motorcades roll after successes in football.

Source: Rhineland-Palatinate State Criminal Police Office/Press Office