Dangerous overtaking maneuvers: Police warn to protect cyclists in the Schwabtunnel

Dangerous overtaking maneuvers: Police warn to protect cyclists in the Schwabtunnel

In the Schwabtunnel in Stuttgart, there are an increasing number of dangerous overtaking maneuvers by drivers, which put cyclists in considerable danger. Despite a double overtaking ban, many cyclists are threatened by overtaking cars. The police have responded to the numerous complaints and announced that they would intensify checks in the tunnel. Loud Stuttgart News 19 checkpoints were already set up in the Schwabtunnel in 2024, and six have been added so far in 2025.

Due to the high priority that the Schwabtunnel enjoys with the police, the officers are sometimes not immediately visible in order to punish the violations directly. In 2024, a total of 30 rule violations were recorded and punished with a fine of 70 euros and one point in Flensburg.

Experiences of cyclists

An incident that clearly illustrates the problem occurred when a cyclist was overtaken by two drivers and a police car in the Schwabtunnel during an overtaking maneuver. At the next traffic light, she pointed out to the officers that there was no overtaking, which was indicated by a sign and a solid line. However, she was told that drivers were allowed to overtake at a “certain distance”, which raised legitimate concerns. The cyclist expressed concerns about the police's knowledge of traffic rules, particularly because at the time it was the night of May 1st and police operations were taking place in the west of the city, where a police car was on fire. This prompted them to have further conversations and discussions about traffic safety in the Schwabtunnel the bicycle blog reported.

Another example of the questions that cyclists ask themselves about police presence took place on the same day in the afternoon on Eberhardstrasse, which was marked as car-free. A police vehicle blocked bicycle traffic there while the driver spoke to someone who had parked illegally but did not get out to punish the traffic violation. These incidents cause many cyclists to question the effectiveness of traffic enforcement and officers' knowledge of traffic rules.

A lasting problem

With only two formal controls in 2025, the extent of the challenge for traffic monitoring in Stuttgart is evident. Bicycles and cars often share the same roads in dangerous conditions, making the need for clear rules and their enforcement all the more urgent. Cyclists often feel like weaker road users and demand more attention to their safety.

The police have committed to taking further measures to counteract the problem in the Schwabtunnel. The focus is on public perception and the safety of all road users.