A file on Radim Passer, the Bugatti Chiron owner who videotaped himself going 417 km/h (259 mph) on the Autobahn, has been given to prosecutors in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, according to police. The police department is “looking at the possibility of a banned car race.” Passer may face up to two years in prison if this is the case.
Last summer, Passer videotaped himself driving his Chiron on Germany’s legendary Autobahn. A video of the ride was uploaded late last year. The driver stated that he took every measure needed to make the stunt as safe as possible, including picking a straight section of road with sufficient visibility.
However, the German transport ministry officially criticized Passer for the stunt, stating that it “rejects any behaviour in road traffic that leads or can lead to endangering road users.” Furthermore, the ministry said that just because the roadway has no speed restrictions does not give drivers the right to do whatever they want. All road users are required by law to “only drive so fast that the vehicle is constantly under control.”
Lydia Hueskens, regional transport head, stated that “there are certainly very serious doubts as to whether that happened” in this situation.
The criticism this act has sparked comes at a time when debate in Germany is raging over whether speed limits should be put on currently unrestricted sections of the Autobahn. Moreover, because the proposal is being pushed primarily for environmental grounds, any outcry may persuade people that the choice is sound.