Border Controls on the A3 – A Region’s Daily Ordeal (EN)

I hardly know how to begin with this topic. The truth is: it affects me every week, and it makes me incredibly angry. The PNP has already reported on it, but I feel they didn’t emphasize enough how serious the problem really is. So let’s get started.

The elephant in the china shop: the border controls on the A3 towards Passau.

It’s an obvious fact that, every day, long queues build up on this stretch of road at the German border crossing. I am convinced that it drives everyone mad – both foreigners and Germans alike. But please, think for a moment about the people who have to pass through this section daily or several times a week: commuting to work, going shopping, or simply looking for recreation.

Anyone familiar with the region knows that for three or four districts, Passau is the actual center. From Pfarrkirchen to Freyung, Passau is the nearest city “where things can be done.” And yes, I know of concrete cases where people prefer to head to Landshut or Linz on weekends because they know exactly what awaits them at the border checks.

The everyday life of the residents of Neuburg am Inn could fill a chapter of its own. It’s no coincidence that even the mayor has expressed concern. When the A3 gets jammed, traffic is diverted onto the small country roads. With the bridge closure near the castle, the situation has escalated so badly that people sometimes can’t even drive out of their own yards.

But what is causing this problem?
Here’s my raw opinion: the incompetence of the authorities. To this day, I don’t understand why, since 2015, the controls have been carried out inside Germany at a makeshift checkpoint converted from a parking lot. Let me whisper it: on the Austrian-German border there is a wide section where controls had been handled smoothly for decades. It worked perfectly.
I hardly dare to speculate why the border checks cannot simply take place at the border itself (yes, that’s sarcasm). Who exactly benefits from the current arrangement?

This absurd measure, in place for ten years now, has completely disrupted the region’s ecosystem. A city that used to be easily accessible now requires extra time and planning.

I do have some ideas to ease the burden – but if even a mayor is met with deaf ears, what chance does a simple “Pannon Bavarian” have, just a little mouse next to the great decision-makers?

But let’s suppose they would listen. What if one of the two lanes – or even a third – were reserved for local license plates? For example, PAN, PA, FRG, GRF – and on the Austrian side RI, BR, GR – with their own lane and faster checks. Of course, this would only be a temporary fix. The only true and lasting solution would be a return to the old border stations.

To conclude with a strong opinion: I find it absurd that someone living within Germany, who commutes 40 kilometers daily to their workplace and may not have left the country for a year, still has to waste time every single day sitting in endless traffic jams because of border controls.

Thank you, this was the Pannon Bavarian.
I welcome your comments below.

Grüß euch!