Berlin: Abolition of 30 km/h zones
Last year, the development of pollutant emissions at 30 km/h was measured on five stretches of road in Berlin. A decrease in pollution was measured on these heavily frequented streets, only on Potsdamer Strasse no decrease could be detected. Now the 30 km/h zones could be abolished, but the transport senator has a different plan.
In the past, Berlin speed was used to describe the rapid change of the city and the bustle on its main streets. Today, the term is mainly understood to mean the speed limit of 30 km/h, which is to be introduced across the board in Berlin if Transport Senator Jarasch (Greens) has her way. But it is not that simple: according to the Road Traffic Act, speed limits may only be imposed for good reason: These include, for example, air pollution control, noise protection and road safety.
But these reasons no longer apply to Berlin's roads. In 2020 and 2021, a decrease in nitrogen dioxide could be observed in Berlin, so that the improved air quality would make it possible to lift drive-through bans for diesel as well as speed 30 zones. But that is no longer certain. On the contrary, more such zones are to be introduced. The chances of this are not bad.
The German Association of Cities has launched an initiative to give cities more room for manoeuvre independent of the federal government. Speed 30 zones should be able to be decided by the city halls themselves without having to adhere to strict guidelines. Transport Senator Jarasch wants to join this initiative quickly and, according to her own statement, cannot imagine that anyone from the Berlin Senate has a different opinion on this initiative than she does. The coalition agreement of the SPD, the Left Party and the Greens also provides for new 30 km/h zones in Berlin.
So whether diesel driving bans and 30 km/h speed limits will be lifted in Berlin is far from certain.