Curious Laws in Germany #FunFriday

Germany’s legal landscape includes several peculiar regulations, some historical and others still in effect, that often raise eyebrows.

The Cucumber Curvature Regulation

This European Union regulation, active until 2009, caused considerable discussion. Originally established in 1989 as Regulation No. 1677/88/EEC, it set quality standards for cucumbers. For instance, cucumbers designated “Extra” class were permitted a maximum curvature of 10 mm per 10 cm of length. After years of public mockery, the regulation was repealed in 2009, presumably as more pressing matters took precedence within the EU.

Marching in Step on Bridges

Traffic regulations in Germany, specifically § 27 (6) of the Road Traffic Regulations (Straßenverkehrsordnung), prohibit marching in step on bridges. This rule, still in effect, is not merely whimsical. It stems from the potential for synchronized marching to amplify a bridge’s natural resonance, creating a risk of collapse. While the exact physics are complex, it is common practice for soldiers to march “without rhythm” when crossing bridges to prevent such an occurrence.

The Death Penalty in Hesse

Until 2018, Article 21 of Hesse’s state regulations included a provision stating that “for particularly serious crimes, a perpetrator can be sentenced to death.” However, this clause was rendered obsolete in 1949 with the introduction of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz), which abolished the death penalty nationwide. As federal laws supersede state laws in Germany, capital punishment was already invalid in Hesse long before this specific repeal. The explicit removal of this outdated provision only occurred recently.

Unclaimed Swarms of Bees

German Civil Code (§ 962 BGB) grants beekeepers the right to enter private property to pursue their escaped bee swarms. The law states that the owner of a swarm may enter foreign land to retrieve it. If the swarm occupies an unoccupied beehive belonging to someone else, the swarm’s owner is permitted to open the hive and remove the honeycomb for the purpose of capture. This special right expires if the owner abandons the pursuit, at which point the swarm is considered unclaimed or “ownerless.”

Animals Without escorts

Traffic rules in Germany (§ 28 of the StVO) prohibit animals from being on the road without an accompanying person. Violators face a fine of 5 Euros. However, a practical question arises regarding who would pay this penalty if an unsupervised animal is found on the road.

Colored Parasols

To preserve the aesthetic of the town, the small town of Bad Sooden-Allendorf in North Hesse, through § 10 (6) of its regulations, mandates that parasols must be “beige, pastel, or sand-colored.” Violations are considered official offenses and are subject to fines. The old town also features other curious regulations, such as limitations on the size of restaurant menu display cases (maximum 50 x 70 cm) and requirements for exterior stairs to be constructed from natural stone.