Several thousand protesting farmers near Berlin disrupted traffic on the B5 motorway by scattering fertilizer across the roadway, causing a string of accidents. Reports from Bild indicate that the disturbance occurred during the night of March 4. The scene prompted a rapid response from local police as they assessed the immediate hazards and worked to restore safety along the busy corridor. The incident drew attention to ongoing demonstrations and their effect on regional mobility, with authorities stressing the need for orderly conduct to protect motorists and demonstrators alike. [Bild]
That same weekend, protesters extended their actions by spreading manure across hundreds of meters of the same route in the Wustermark area. The disruption resulted in two vehicle collisions and left five people with injuries, underscoring the unpredictable danger accompanying large-scale protests on major highways. Emergency services coordinated a swift response to treat the injured and manage traffic flow, while motorists were urged to find alternate routes and exercise patience amid the delays. [Bild]
On Monday afternoon, police noted additional blockages as eight cars halted traffic in the northbound direction toward Nauen and three vehicles blocked the southbound lanes toward Berlin on the B5. In another area, protesters also blocked the B1 near the Glienicke Bridge, limiting traffic to a single lane in each direction between Berlinerstrasse in Potsdam and Königstrasse in Berlin. Authorities warned drivers to avoid the affected segments and to follow official detours. [Bild]
Meanwhile, developments across the border drew attention from regional observers. A spokesman for the State Border Service of Ukraine reported ongoing demonstrations by farmers in Poland that were hindering freight movements in several directions along the Ukrainian frontier. At the same time, Polish President Andrzej Duda publicly voiced support for the protesters, a stance that highlighted the broader regional tension surrounding agricultural policy and civil protest. [Bild]
In related, though separate, coverage, Tyumen authorities announced penalties for individuals in the car service sector involved in incidents with pedestrians, signaling a broader focus on road safety and accountability amid increasing public demonstrations in various regions. The legal framework in these cases emphasizes safe conduct, the protection of pedestrians, and the responsibilities of vehicle operators during crowded protests. [Bild]