Before the beginning of the German Traffic Day this week in Goslar demands for sharper speed limits on German roads have become loud.
Only in this way could the number of road deaths be further reduced, said the deputy federal chairman of the Union of Police, Michael Mertens.
„If we do not want to put up with the fact that every year about 3200 people are killed in traffic, we have to come up with something,“ said Mertens. „Limiting speed plays an important role here.“ The accident researchers at the insurers consider a general speed limit on motorways worthy of discussion. „The speed differences between the lanes are increasing more and more,“ said head Siegfried Brockmann.
Instead of general speed limits, the ADAC considers restrictions on accident-prone routes and construction measures to be sensible. Dangerous intersections on rural roads would have to be expanded to roundabouts and passing lines will be created, the demand. In the city center, additional traffic lights for pedestrians should be installed.
Former Greens chief Cem Özdemir considers a speed limit on motorways to be a „commandment of reason“. This he said on Tuesday in the ARD morning magazine to the debate on a speed limit for climate protection. „It’s a bit like discussing with Americans the right to carry weapons,“ he said. „Unfortunately, this debate in Germany is very irrational.“ Most countries in the world have speed limits on highways.
The Greens have been demanding a speed limit for years. They argue that when cars run faster, they emit more CO2, causing heavier accidents and a poorer traffic flow. Ozdemir said he was aware that his party had no majority with its demands and such arguments. „I know that’s the same in Germany as if you enforced a kind of officially decreed potency reduction for men.“
A commission of experts commissioned by the Federal Government is currently working on proposals for more climate protection. Background are climate protection goals of the Federal Government until 2030. On Friday, considerations of a working group of the commission became known – including a speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour on highways, higher fuel costs and a quota for electric cars. CO2 emissions in car traffic have increased in recent years. This is due to more cars, higher performance and ever stronger engines.
