Then the traffic lights turn green - and the men speed off. Almost 100 kilometers per hour, where 30 km/h is allowed. Regardless of the consequences. The driving style is highly risky, the men are mostly unteachable and act extremely recklessly.

Luckily, a Dortmund police patrol can quickly stop this illegal motor vehicle race - the end of the line is at Ostwall. The cars, the cell phones: seized. And a very special surprise was waiting for the police officers in the footwell. But more on that later.

The Dortmund police are now not only investigating the case just described in accordance with Section 315d of the German Criminal Code, which has been in place since autumn 2017, but also initiated these investigations into a total of 128 offenses throughout 2023. All of these offenses are classified as illegal motor vehicle racing, 30 of which ended in a traffic accident last year - in some cases with serious consequences.

"We have already achieved a lot in the fight against the speeding, posing and illegal tuning scene," says Police Chief Gregor Lange on the results of the past year: "However, every race is and remains one too many. The extreme risk of excessive speed and reckless driving maneuvers can turn anyone into an accidental victim. We want to continue to prevent this."

After the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, posers and tuners in particular were the ones causing major problems on the Dortmunder Wall, sometimes in their hundreds in just one night. Loud roaring engines, long traffic jams and environmental pollution with noise, light and garbage were the result. In addition, there were always races; usually when it was emptier, of course. "We have made the phenomenon a strategic focus for the authorities, combated it with a strong personnel approach and made it clear: speeders have no place in Dortmund!" says Gregor Lange: "I can promise all residents: We will continue to combat the speeding scene this year with all available means."

The fact is: thanks to the meticulous work of the police, the city of Dortmund has become an unattractive place for the relevant speeding, poser and illegal tuner clientele. One indication of this is the constantly high level of control pressure, combined with repressive measures, including numerous seizures and confiscations. Last year alone, Dortmund police confiscated 65 driving licenses (2022: 37), 102 vehicles (56) and 120 smartphones (45), as well as carrying out 20 special operations.

The police chief: "People rightly feel disturbed by the disrespect and recklessness emanating from the scene. We know that the issue is highly emotional. Especially with a view to spring, when it stays light longer again, we as Dortmund police are very vigilant and will continue to take the many good steps we have already taken."

In the end, the aim is to prevent fatalities with this strategy. The accident involving a 19-year-old who was driving his VW Golf GTI at 150 instead of 70 km/h on Emscherallee in the direction of Dortmund and lost control at the Ellinghauser Straße junction could have been potentially fatal. He collided with the Opel Corsa of a 37-year-old and only came to a standstill 200 meters after the collision due to the high speed. His vehicle was completely mangled. It was pure luck that no one died.

A similar case: three people were injured on the A 2 near Kamen in mid-May 2023. Property damage amounting to 70,000 euros was caused. Three vehicles were involved in the suspected illegal car race, the drivers of which lost control. Police officers seized three cars, seven cell phones and two driving licenses.

And then there was the "surprise" in the footwell of the car involved in the race, which we promised you at the beginning of the text. The police officers found a nitrous oxide bottle there. "We've been seeing this more and more frequently in recent months," says Ralf Ziegler, Head of the Traffic Directorate: "And it's an extremely dangerous phenomenon." After consuming nitrous oxide, people can drift off into a state of intoxication, become very foggy and hallucinate. If someone is not oriented in terms of time or space, has glassy eyes or other symptoms of loss of consciousness, we will initiate investigative proceedings. And then the driver's license is also at risk."

In such cases, a report is also made to the road traffic authority, which questions the suitability to drive a motor vehicle. The background to these measures is Section 316 of the German Criminal Code (drunk driving), which applies not only to alcohol but also to other intoxicating substances. In addition, nitrous oxide cylinders must be particularly well secured. Violations are very expensive. Fines start in the mid three-digit euro range, including points in Flensburg.

Police Commissioner Gregor Lange: "We know that the vast majority of drivers have great respect for life. However, we will continue to confront those who act recklessly and disrespectfully with a great lack of understanding and high enforcement pressure."