< Show all posts

Diesel driving bans: first money flows

Since the beginning of 2020, the Berlin police have registered a total of 219 violations of the existing ban on diesel driving (older diesel vehicles up to exhaust emission standard EURO 5).

However, the ban, which was passed exactly one year ago, could only be enforced sluggishly, the reason for this was, among other things, the lack of signage in the respective zones. As a result, the concrete implementation only took place between November 2019 and January 2020, the affected road sections have a total length of almost 3 kilometres. The fines issued varied between 20 and 100 euros depending on the type of vehicle.

"A final assessment of how the measured values have developed will only be possible towards the end of the year," explained a spokeswoman for the traffic administration. "The development of the measured values will determine how to proceed further with passage bans," explained the Berlin traffic administration in response to queries from several media companies. How long the bans will remain in force is currently completely open and depends, for example, on the traffic volume after the end of the summer holidays. After the disastrous start with signs delivered too late, a professional approach on the part of the legislator would be the best way to reduce scepticism and lack of understanding combined with anger on the part of the citizens and restore lost trust in transport policy. For many consumers, diesel driving bans are still a major intrusion into their daily lives, and transparency and avoiding panic-mongering would be the best strategy to smooth the waves in the debate on driving bans.

But there is still a long way to go before then: go for it, Berlin!