30 km/h zones in Berlin: withdrawal causes heated debates!

30 km/h zones in Berlin: withdrawal causes heated debates!

A controversial topic is emerging in Berlin: The black-red Senate is planning to decide to withdraw the 30 km/h zones on main roads next week. Environment and Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) announced that the air pollution control plan would be on the agenda on Tuesday. Currently, speed limits of 30 km/h are imposed on 41 major roads to improve air quality. This rule could soon be lifted for up to 25 streets as air quality has improved in recent years.

But not everyone agrees with this decision. The speed limit remains in place on seven main roads because the pollution levels there are too high, and it could remain in place on another nine roads thanks to traffic safety - for example in front of daycare centers or old people's homes. The Senate is also planning to impose a 30 km/h speed limit on several main roads at night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., affecting around 230 kilometers of roads. Critics, including environmental associations, the Greens and the SPD, express concerns. They fear that less protective speed limits could lead to an increase in accidents.

Current discussion

The debate about 30 km/h speed limits in cities is not new. Environmentalists are calling for a speed limit of 30 km/h across the board in order to increase safety and reduce noise and pollutants. In Germany there are currently only a few such zones, although the standard speed in urban areas has been 50 km/h since 1957. Over 500 cities and municipalities have already joined forces in the “Livable Cities and Municipalities” initiative, which is calling for more say in speed limits.

A positive example are numerous European cities that have successfully introduced 30 km/h speed limits. In French cities with this regulation since 2020, road deaths have been reduced by 70%, while Brussels has seen 55% fewer road deaths. The studies also show that going 30 km/h also improves the quality of life by reducing CO2 emissions and reducing the risk of accidents.

The legal situation and its effects

The decisions about 30 km/h zones are currently being made by the federal government, which entails legal hurdles. Loud rechtaktuell.org Municipalities can already order a speed limit of 30 for several reasons: to protect against noise and exhaust fumes, in particularly dangerous situations and in front of schools, old people's homes and kindergartens. This shows how important a differentiated view of the traffic situation is.

However, Ute Bonde emphasizes that 50 km/h in towns is the standard speed according to the road traffic regulations (StVO) and that a concrete justification is required for 30 km/h sections. This has led to heated discussions, not least because the StVO now also allows a speed limit on busy routes to school.

While politicians look to the future, it remains to be seen what impact the planned measures will have on traffic safety and the environment in Berlin and beyond the city limits. The coming decisions could not only shape Berliners, but also the entire discussion about speed limits of 30 km/h and traffic safety in German cities.