Briefing
Several drivers stopped a 92-year-old wrong-way driver on the B10 federal road between Ruppertsweiler and Hinterweidenthal on Sunday afternoon, 1 November 2026. According to the Dahn Police Station the woman had entered the B10 at the roundabout near Hinterweidenthal and then drove in the direction reserved for traffic heading towards Pirmasens to Landau — but against the prescribed direction of travel.
As the Landau Police Directorate said on 2 November, several road users surrounded the woman’s car and brought it to a stop. According to the information available so far, their swift intervention prevented further dangerous encounters. Police initially had no reports of injuries or damage to property.
The B10 in this section is winding, with limited visibility in places. Police have opened an investigation on suspicion of endangering road traffic. They have not yet given any information about possible reasons for the wrong-way driving, the woman’s health or any measures concerning her driving licence. Witnesses or anyone who may have been affected are asked to contact Dahn Police Station.
The incident took place on Sunday, 1 November; police issued their statement on 2 November. Regional media subsequently reported on the incident. The relevant authorities will decide on the further course of the investigation and any administrative measures.
In similar situations, police advise that anyone who spots a wrong-way driver should warn them immediately using their headlights and hazard lights, reduce their own speed and keep their distance. Taking it upon yourself to block the vehicle carries risks; in this case, however, police recorded no resulting damage from the coordinated effort to stop it.
The incident highlights the dangers of wrong-way driving on busy rural roads. The B10 section between Pirmasens and Landau is regularly the subject of traffic-management debate because of its topography and heavy traffic. Any specific conclusions from the latest incident will have to await the ongoing investigation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).