In the comparison, motorways are the safest roads. Yes, you have to make them even safer – but a Limit that restricts all, it does not need.
comment by Harald Hordych Harald Hordych
Born (1961) and raised in Korbach. Studied in Düsseldorf not only appreciate the German Philology, linguistics and Eastern European history, but also of the Rhenish way of life. Following an internship at the Westdeutsche Zeitung five years, local journalist with the Rheinische Post in Mettmann. Since 2001, the süddeutsche Zeitung, first as culture editor at the NRW-editors, they have been closed since 2003, in Munich at the SZ weekend. Non-fiction books, writes a, “instructions for use for Düsseldorf”. Married with two children. American novels, cinema, football and beer appreciates gardens.
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At first glance it seems reasonable, for a speed limit to enter upon all highways. But what really speaks for a General speed limit? The protection of the environment? The effects on the climate are controversial: in fact, the least drivers on the highway to gas-guzzling maniacs. The fuel consumption is driving in Stop-and-go in the city on the highest – a speed limit would change nothing.
The Argument of road safety is also limiting. The number of deaths on the roads fell by 21 332 in the year 1970 on 3180 in the previous year. Seat belt use, helmet use for motorcycle drivers and child seats are compulsory, as is the reduction in the legal limit, brought here by success. A General speed limit on motorways, however, was not required. Germany has – even without the Limit – one of the lowest rates in the world. This is not to say that it is not more to it must be fought to bring this terrible balance to zero. Only: Be the speed limit here is more than a symbolic act, to show that something is being done? There are other measures to reduce the number of cyclists, which can be overlooked in city traffic Law in order to show how.
On the highway is safer than on the road
what is beyond doubt is that frenzy endangers the safety of other road users. Therefore, a speed limit on certain stretches of reasonable and necessary. This should be even stricter, and sanctioned than in the past: as soon As the Demand is yielded to the high speed on lines with limit ruthlessly, you need to be the penalties juicy. Where in other countries, 150 euros are due, the German driver with 20 Euro. Such a symbolic punishment does not hurt anyone. But grass Limit-lines is dangerous. According to the Federal statistical office, the damage attributed to the most deaths to non-adapted speed in accidents with people. The statistics says but also: highways in comparison with the first streets. Although of a third of German road mileage is covered on motorways, occurring only seven percent of the accidents with damage to persons.
It would be a sham, a decades-long tried-and-tested model, to abandon, to give the Germans the feeling that their streets would be considerably safer. Anyone who has observed how Limits in Tempo-30 zones in front of schools or in narrow highway construction sites are consistently ignored, ask yourself, what would it bring, to car a General Limit on the highway. It is illusory to believe that tailgating or daring Overtaking belonged to the past, just because the driver “relaxed” 130 drive.
The Germans are with the standards of safety on its highways so far. Driving a car is, for some, a romantic longing for the freedom of speed. The forbidden is part of? You must auto make cars safer, and drivers, we have more respect for to teach: the one Who rushes with 170 km/h and light honking sealing ascends, deserves drastic punishment. But a Limit that restricts all, it does not need it.
