Traffic
Wissing against speed limit: “People don’t want that”
If a speed limit of 120 applies across the board on motorways, it would not be accepted in Germany, says Volker Wissing. photo
© Hannes P Albert/dpa
A speed limit of 120 on motorways, 80 on country roads and 30 in urban areas. According to supporters, this is good for safety and the environment. Transport Minister Wissing doesn’t think much of it.
If a speed limit of 120 applies across the board on motorways, 80 on country roads and 30 in urban areas, this would not be accepted in Germany. “People don’t want that.”
Measures must be effective and sensible. “If, for example, a direct route through the villages becomes worthwhile again because of a speed limit on the motorway, the residents will be burdened with noise. We have built infrastructure so that people are relieved of the burden of traffic.” Then there would be suggestions that would motivate drivers to take the shorter route through the towns again. “That doesn’t convince me. That’s why we’re taking other approaches to making transport climate-friendly.”
Last August, the Federal Council of Experts on Climate Issues once again confirmed that the federal government was not on track to achieve the climate target for 2030. By then, Germany would have to emit 65 percent fewer greenhouse gases than in 1990. The transport and building sectors in particular are causing problems.