Berlin referendum: only 12 car trips a year left!

Berlin referendum: only 12 car trips a year left!

A remarkable turn in Berlin traffic: A citizens' initiative is planning a far-reaching car ban within the S-Bahn ring. The Constitutional Court of Berlin has now declared the application for the initiation of the referendum for the "Volksstscheid Berlin Auto -Free", as FOCUS This project aims to declare almost all roads in the city center to “author -reduced streets” after a transition period of four years and to limit private car trips to just twelve a year. The car journeys of people without disabilities would also be particularly affected, while exceptions only apply to certain groups such as the police, emergency services and delivery services.

The court, which decided with a majority of 8 to 1 votes, made it clear that it did not decide on the implementation of the plan, but only tested the legal admissibility. The result: The draft law is compatible with the Berlin constitution as well as the Basic Law and Federal Law. The proportionality of the measures was also preserved, which signaled that there is no fundamental right to "uninhibited driving", as the lawyer emphasized the initiative.

The reactions to the plan

The suggestions not only encounter approval. Business associations say that a ban on driving in the city center could bring economic disadvantages. Nevertheless, the initiative is optimistic and plans to collect at least 170,000 signatures of voters within four months. If everything goes smoothly, a referendum is in prospect that decides on the introduction of the law.

Practical for the project is that over 50,000 signatures were collected last year to initiate the referendum. This clearly shows that there is something in change. The idea behind the "Berlin Law for Community -oriented road usage" is the clear reduction in car traffic and the creation of a healthier, safer and climate -friendly city, which offers more space to breathe, as the initiative further illustrates. The currently unequal distribution of the traffic areas speaks a clear language: cars claim 60% of the areas, while only 14% of the paths covered by car.

The next steps

The next step in this encounter between the citizens' initiative and politics is now at the House of Representatives, which must advise on the draft law. If this is accepted, the Berlin traffic turnaround could receive a decisive thrust. The urgency of the reduction in car traffic is underlined by the upcoming climatic challenges and the tight space in the big city of Berlin. A status quo is no longer portable; Changes are necessary to create a more livable environment for all Berliners: according to the initiators.

The initiative comes to the conclusion that the voices of the citizens are now asked. A unique undertaking that could set new standards in the history of Berlin.