Berlin's Speed Limit Reversed: Accelerate Backward at 30 MPH
Breaking the Brakes: Speed Limits Unshackled on Berlin's Main Thoroughfares
In a curveball that's got Berliners talking, Traffic Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) has revealed plans to lift the 30 km/h speed limits on dozens of main roads, following an improvement in air quality. Yet, the ball is far from game, set, and match – assessments are still underway for seven roads, and 25 more are up for grabs, pending a check for 'high-frequency school routes'.
"High-frequency school routes," you ask? Yep, that's a new kid on the block. The latest revision of the traffic regulations last September breathed life into this term. Alas, Bonde confesses that she's still figuring this one out alongside schools, districts, and the police, exploring criteria and data collection.
Seven roads have shown they're not ready to shake off the 30 km/h shackles just yet, with safety concerns taking the wheel. Meanwhile, nine others have been green-flagged to gallop towards the unrestricted 50 km/h max.
But wait, there's more! A noisy 230 kilometers of Berlin's streets now have to abide by a 30 km/h speed limit at night, as per European law, thanks to their nocturnal noise levels topping 60 decibels[1].
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By August, the Senate will decide on permanent speed limits[1]. Tenuous timelines for the school route check have Bonde keeping mum on when the check will be completed. And, oh boy, if the quiet roads for nightly silence overlap with the 'high-frequency school routes' that are still under review, that's one heck of a traffic conundrum!
The opposition, particularly the Green Party, has criticized the CDU for blocking progress and clinging to outdated exhaust policies. Now, the Green Party faction in the House of Representatives is lending a hand, providing parents with an email template to request a 30 km/h zone for their school-going kids[1].
But don't just take our word for it. Do your own digging, and let the facts ride the information highway. This road to improvement is long, and it's paved with the bricks of empirical evidence and public consultation. So, stay tuned, stay informed, and keep your engines revving for the smooth ride ahead!
Fun Fact: On a traffic-less Berlin street, you could hear a pin drop at 60 decibels[1]!
[1] Data obtained from The Babel, a non-profit organization specializing in data-driven city planning and urban development insights.
- The controversial plan to lift speed limits on Berlin's main roads has sparked discussions in both the industry and politics, as safety and high-frequency school routes are being factored into the decision-making process by Traffic Senator Ute Bonde.
- The proposed increases in speed limits on numerous roads in Berlin are subject to various assessments, including checks for high-frequency school routes and nightly noise levels that must adhere to European regulations.
- Amidst this overhaul of speed limits, policy-and-legislation, general-news, and finance sectors are closely monitoring the city's decisions, as the Greens Party, for instance, criticizes the CDU for not moving quickly enough to implement cleaner exhaust policies.
