30 km/h speed limit throughout Europe?
Throughout Europe, there are now large cities, but also small communities, that have introduced 30 km/h speed limits across the board. Spain is the pioneer, where 30 km/h was already introduced in Madrid in 2018, and it has been in force in all cities since 2021. In Germany, 70 municipalities now want to reduce the speed limit.
Seven German cities had already joined forces last year and demanded 30 km/h: Aachen, Augsburg, Freiburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Münster and Ulm. Unfortunately, such a zone cannot be introduced just like that, because it is only permitted if the road concerned is neither a federal road nor a district or state road. This is usually only the case for side roads, where people usually drive at a slower speed anyway. However, the speed may also be reduced in the event of a particularly dangerous situation, such as if there is a school, a kindergarten or an old people's or nursing home nearby. It is also possible to set up a 30 km/h zone in purely residential areas. A speed limit is also often included in the clean air plan to supplement environmental zones and to prevent diesel driving bans.
The German Association of Cities wants more freedom in the designation of such zones. In future, municipalities are to decide in which streets a speed limit can be introduced, irrespective of the danger situation and other specifications. For this reason, 70 cities have already joined the initiative for a general 30 km/h speed limit.
What advantages can such a speed limit have? In Berlin, where the speed limit is restricted to five main roads, a significant improvement in air quality has been observed: Nitrogen dioxide levels in particular have dropped. As a result, some diesel driving bans have already been lifted. In Hanover, on the other hand, it was found that 30 km/h has no positive or negative effects on the number of traffic accidents. However, it was found that the number of cyclists and pedestrians increased in speed-restricted areas and that they also used public transport more. This in turn has an impact on the air. In addition, the speed limit can reduce noise pollution.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Transport criticises a general speed limit of 30 km/h. This would not do justice to the problems of overcrowded roads. Rather, intelligent and better traffic guidance systems are needed. Air pollution could be reduced more effectively than a general 30 km/h speed limit.
It remains to be seen which system will be implemented in Germany.