Face mask at the wheel: is that possible?

Carola Felchner is a freelance writer in the medical department and a certified training and nutrition advisor. She worked for various specialist magazines and online portals before becoming a freelance journalist in 2015. Before starting her internship, she studied translation and interpreting in Kempten and Munich.

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To protect others from infection, experts advise wearing a mouthguard. A simple one made of fabric is sufficient - but you can only wear it in the car under certain conditions.

Whether bought or sewn yourself: In the course of the corona epidemic, more and more people are putting on face masks. Anyone who wants to wear it behind the wheel of the car, however, has to make sure that it remains clearly visible to others.

Identification must be possible

More precisely, the point is that "the decisive facial features are essentially still to be made out," explains lawyer Daniela Mielchen from Hamburg. This is usually the case with commercially available models. According to Mielchen, these do not cover the entire face or at least not most of it. The regulation should then be fulfilled.

It is different with self-made masks. Caution should be exercised here, "as far as most of the face is covered and identification is no longer possible as a result." If, for example, a road user cannot be identified afterwards on a speed camera photo, the road traffic authority can order vehicle owners to keep a logbook.

See and be seen

Large masks also have another disadvantage: they can obstruct the wearer's view - and according to Mielchen they are not allowed to do that either. "Otherwise there is a threat of a fine of 60 euros," she says, referring to the road traffic regulations (StVO). This aspect of vision can be particularly relevant for people who wear glasses: The mouth and nose protection means that the glasses fog up more quickly. Then: take off your mask immediately!

Exceptions to the rule

What applies to the driver, however, does not matter to the other occupants in the car. You can always wear a mask when you are out and about - regardless of its nature and size. And there is an exception to the rule for motorcyclists, as they have to wear a protective helmet while driving. (caf / dpa)

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