Berlin introduces speed 30 at night: protection against noise or traffic chaos?

Berlin introduces speed 30 at night: protection against noise or traffic chaos?

On Tuesday, the Senate in Berlin decided to introduce speed 30 to around 440 streets between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This measure affects a total of 230 kilometers of roads and is part of the new noise action plan, which aims to reduce the noise pollution in the city. The decision provides for the creation of around 550 new traffic-calmed areas, with the districts of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and Mitte, each with 60 new sections, focus on the new zones, such as rbb24 reported.

already in Berlin at 335 kilometers at night 30. The new noise action plan will also contain the results of tests with so -called "noise flashes", which were tested in 2023 to monitor speed limits. In tests on the Kurfürstendamm, noise values ​​of up to 110 decibels were recorded, which corresponds to the volume of a chainsaw. Over 50 percent of the vehicles to be loud were motorcycles, followed by buses, trucks and cars, the information from the current reporting.

traffic law background

The initiative for the introduction of speed 30 zones is not only currently in Berlin. So far there are only sporadically pace 30 zones in Germany, often only on short distances or at certain times. Environmentalists therefore call for a nationwide introduction to more security and fewer pollutants in cities. The focus of the municipalities for the arrangement of speed limits is increasingly being brought into focus, since the existing regulations are complicated and often out of date, such as Deutschlandfunk

The Federal Ministry of Transport is currently examining proposals for revising the road traffic regulations, which should enable municipalities more freedom of maneuver in order to be able to introduce speed 30 if necessary. A amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which comes into force in 2024, could facilitate this process and expand the criteria for the introduction to consider aspects such as traffic safety, climate protection and health.

experiences from other cities

The positive effect of Tempo 30 zones is not only shown in Berlin, but also in other cities. Studies by the Federal Environment Agency show that speed 30 can significantly reduce noise pollution, especially on main roads. In cities such as Göttingen, Halle and Ravensburg, traffic safety and the number of accidents with serious consequences fell significantly. In addition, many European cities, such as in France and Spain, introduced similar regulations that show positive effects on traffic safety, such as "https://www.juraforum.de/news/tempo 30-zonen-in-staedten_260085"> Juraforum

Although some municipalities and German environmental aid are demanding speed 30 as a regular speed in closed towns, there is also resistance. Critics are concerned about possible increased congestion development and longer travel times. Nevertheless, the support for a clear regulation for the introduction of speed 30 remains in order to promote a better quality of life in urban areas.