control speed
Wissing: Tempo 30 must be compatible with the Basic Law
Municipalities should be given more leeway in traffic planning. photo
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
The voices for more freedom of choice in setting speed limits in built-up areas are getting louder. Transport Minister Wissing refers to the Basic Law when it comes to the scope for decision-making.
In the discussion about a nationwide expansion of 30 km/h zones in cities, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) referred to the Basic Law.
“The standard speed remains 50, and an exception must be justified. And it must also be justified on the basis of a law. The constitutional state requires it, and it stays that way,” said Wissing on Deutschlandfunk.
The core task of the state is to justify “interference with freedom”. Therefore, municipalities would have to justify if they want to identify 30 km/h zones. “That’s what the Basic Law requires, and we can’t revoke that for reasons of simplifying the reduction in bureaucracy.”
An alliance founded by cities had campaigned for more freedom of choice in setting speed limits within built-up areas.
Grüner calls for “bold steps”
NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer calls for far-reaching steps in the reform of the Road Traffic Act. “The absolute priority given to car traffic is still standing in the way of the necessary turnaround in traffic in the cities,” said the Greens politician in Düsseldorf.
Due to the applicable road traffic regulations, the municipalities often do not have the necessary freedom of action to flexibly solve traffic problems on site. The reform is overdue and it is good that the federal government is finally tackling it. “I hope that the Federal Government and the Bundestag will actually take bold steps and give the municipalities more freedom of action,” said Krischer. “The times of standstill and blockades of change must come to an end.”
Reform of the Road Traffic Act
The Ministry of Transport has presented a bill to reform the Road Traffic Act, which is now being dealt with by the Federal Cabinet. It envisages municipalities being given more leeway in traffic planning.
Specifically, in addition to the goal of safe and smooth road traffic, goals such as climate, environmental and health protection and urban development should be given equal weight.