Federal Council Rejects General Speed Limit

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Federal Council Rejects General Speed Limit
Federal Council Rejects General Speed Limit

Video: Federal Council Rejects General Speed Limit

Video: Federal Council Rejects General Speed Limit
Video: HIGHER SPEED LIMITS IN EUROPE? An American expat's perspective 2024, March
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There will be no general speed limit on motorways for the time being. The Federal Council rejected a corresponding proposal by the environmental committee of the regional chamber.

The committee had called for a general limit of 130 kilometers per hour. However, as expected, there was no majority in the plenary session of the Federal Council on Friday. Environmental groups reacted disappointed. Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) reiterated his no to a limit.

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Scheuer said in Berlin that the topic could now be discussed “until exhausted” every two weeks. There is, however, a proven and successful system for motorways that should be continued. He referred to the recommended recommended speed of 130, and there are already speed restrictions on around a third of the motorway network.

Federal Environment Agency updates calculations

The minister said that it would make sense to use digital steering systems that show the right speeds depending on the weather and traffic situation. With a view to increasingly computer-controlled vehicles, he proposed an investigation into what speed influences there are. The magazine “Der Spiegel” reported on this first. The Federal Environment Agency is currently updating its calculations on what a general speed limit would bring for climate protection.

In the Federal Council, the Environment Committee had proposed that a planned amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) be supplemented by a speed limit of 130. A majority had already been questionable in favor of this. The Federation for Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) criticized that the states had missed an opportunity to send a clear signal for a traffic turnaround. Instead, the word “free travel for free citizens” will continue to be used. Deutsche Umwelthilfe complained that the Federal Council was failing to protect the climate.

The Greens' proposal had also failed

In October, an initiative by the Greens for Tempo 130 in the Bundestag had failed, as expected. Most of the SPD MPs voted against this - as is usual with opposition motions. The SPD has now named Tempo 130 as a new project that it wants to talk about in the grand coalition. However, the Union is largely against it. A recent sensation was that the ADAC motorists' club gave up its strict no for decades.

In contrast, the Federal Council approved the actual reform of the Road Traffic Act - albeit with several changes. Numerous new rules are to come, which should make cycling in cities safer and more attractive. There are, among other things, specific minimum distances when overtaking cyclists. Drivers should also face higher fines if they park in the second row or on sidewalks or bike paths. (dpa)

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