Germany Eases Rules for Implementing Urban Speed Limits and Traffic Zones
New regulations in the German traffic code allow municipalities more flexibility in establishing speed limits and special traffic zones to enhance safety and urban planning.
- The updated traffic regulations enable easier establishment of Tempo-30 zones, especially near schools, playgrounds, and pedestrian crossings.
- Municipalities can now more readily create bus lanes, bicycle paths, and pedestrian areas to improve urban mobility and safety.
- New provisions include stricter safety measures for trucks, such as mandatory use of emergency braking systems above 30 km/h.
- The initiative 'Livable Cities through Appropriate Speeds' argues that hurdles for setting speed limits remain too high, despite regulatory changes.
- The regulations, effective from this Friday, were passed by the Bundesrat in July and published in the Federal Law Gazette today.