The climate makes it possible: Germany is discussed again about a speed limit on motorways. Supporters and opponents are unforgiving, because for many, it’s more than just a law.
“This is in Germany, as if they would prevail for men is a kind officially potency reduction had”. As a Green politician Cem Özdemir on Tuesday in the ARD told the morning magazine this sentence, is likely to be like some of the viewers the coffee Cup in my cereal. The topic of the conversation, the speed limit was, and Özdemir made it clear: “This debate is conducted in Germany, unfortunately, very irrational”.
An irrational debate in the supposedly Oh-so-Germany rational? Yes, because the fact is: The car has been true for decades as the Germans ‘ favorite child, and around 60 per cent of all sections of motorway have no speed limit applies. “Free travel for free citizens”, called for in 1974, the automobile club, ADAC, and 45 years later, many do not see, why you should this principle of giving up.
Cem Özdemir: “the debate over speed limit is irrational”
Because when you fast Travel to be more than just about being fast on the target. There is a feeling of freedom and the Conviction to want to, of all things, the favorite topic of car from the policy limit. A strong Lobby of car drivers and car manufacturers, it is understood in Germany, so far, always to stifle discussions about speed limit in the Bud.
Brakes for climate protection
And yet now, according to the latest recommendations by a representative of the German government expert Commission to the debate. Ironically, in Germany, the country, its key industries, the automotive industry and supplied the whole world with powerful engines.
The occasion of the climate protection targets set by the Federal government itself by 2030. Members of the expert Commission, among others, representatives of IG Metall, the German ADAC, the German industrial Association BDI, the car maker Association VDA, Deutsche Bahn, Volkswagen, as well as the environmental associations Nabu and BUND.
Commission of experts for climate protection, warns that increasing traffic makes for increasing greenhouse gas emissions
The Background: According to data from the Federal Statistical office, the car traffic in Germany in 2017 for the Emission of 115 million tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) was responsible. In comparison to the year 2010 which was an increase of six percent. As in the past years, CO2 emissions in car traffic, therefore, is increased and engines emit higher-performance, more carbon dioxide, see the experts, a General speed limit of 130 km/h is a possible solution.
Lobby for a speed limit
The storm of indignation was not long in waiting. The Federal Minister of transport, Andreas Scheuer (CSU) described the proposal of a speed limit, and also of the Commission’s proposal for a higher tax on diesel as “against all sense”. Some Commission members wanted their “always rehashed Agenda” by the press, the Bayer with the views of the environmental groups that sit in the Commission.
The ADAC doubt that a speed limit is actually for the climate. “The effect of climate protection is low,” said Ulrich Klaus Becker, Vice-President of the ADAC. Rather, a good traffic flow, reduce the risk of traffic jams and accidents and help to reduce the emission of CO2, as the ADAC representative. Also from accidents such a speed limit would not protect, for example, the ADAC-man with reference to the accident statistics in neighbouring countries with a General speed limit.
Transport Minister, Andreas Scheuer (CSU) doubts the people of the Commission of experts mind
The German Association of the automotive industry (VDA) – the powerful merger of the German car manufacturer is not surprisingly against a speed limit. Instead, he is impressed with, to be able to contribute even at the best a lower burden on the environment: “There are more appropriate measures for the protection of the climate as a General speed limit on motorways”, according to the VDA, in a Statement. A key lever for the digitalization of road transport. “Through the networking of vehicles with each other and with the infrastructure of the traffic flow can be stabilized, and traffic jams can be avoided”.
In addition, speed limit opponents argue that the highway is as dangerous as their reputation suggests. 2017 motor vehicles, according to data from the Federal highway traveled about a third of their distance on highways. But only one in every eight traffic deaths (12.9 per cent) was accounted for by a motorway. And of these, about half died, again, because against traffic rules have been violated, not because of the traffic section had no speed limit.
Lawn, past the crowd, right: everyday life on German autobahns
Drive slowly for the safety of
The police trade Union sees a speed limit makes sense – and just because so fewer accidents would happen. The Vice-chief Michael Mertens makes clear: “If we do not want to accept the fact that every year approximately 3,200 people get killed in road accidents, we need to come up with something”. Because: “The faster vehicles are in a collision, the greater the forces acting on the occupants,” says Mertens. The GdP does not has only the car, but especially the accident-prone rural roads.
The discussion is hardened and also in the Ministry of transport you want to win, apparently, the first time. The originally for Wednesday’s planned Meeting of the working group for more climate protection in the transport sector was cancelled on Tuesday by head of Department Andreas Scheuer – first of all, the need to coordinate the further procedure of all the working groups. A new appointment? Still unknown.