Traffic Police Removing Speed Humps from Roadways
Speeding and Road Safety: Germany Intensifies Controls During Action Week
Germany is taking a stand against excessive speed on its roads, as police intensify efforts to combat speeding during a Europe-wide speed control action week. This initiative, coordinated by the European Roads Policing Network, aims to improve road safety and reduce the number of traffic accidents.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, excessive or inappropriate speed is the number one cause of fatal traffic accidents on Germany's roads. Last year, there were 3,836 offenses due to the use of radar warning devices, a concerning statistic that underscores the need for stricter enforcement.
The action week, which runs from August 3rd to August 10th, will focus on various high-risk areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, pedestrian crossings, bus stops, and construction sites. The state police have found it effective to control different places at various times over a week, ensuring a broad coverage of potential hotspots.
While the action week is a significant step towards improving road safety, the Police Trade Union (GdP) believes that these temporary controls do not go far enough. The GdP has called for more police for more frequent traffic controls, citing that in 30% of fatal accidents last year, speeding was a factor.
Several federal states are participating in this action, including Brandenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saxony-Anhalt. However, unlike the Blitzmarathon in the spring, fewer federal states may be involved this time, according to ADAC.
The risk of falling into a speed trap is greater on routes that are not driven daily. Drivers and driveresses are expected to be more attentive during the control action, according to the German Road Safety Council.
The action week occurs twice a year, with police intensifying efforts to catch speeders. However, it's important to note that not all risks on the roads can be permanently eliminated with an action. ADAC sees the action week as a contribution to more road safety, but acknowledges that ongoing efforts are required to ensure a safer driving environment.
The use of apps during driving that alert to speed cameras is warned against by the police, as it encourages reckless driving behaviour. Drivers are advised to adhere to speed limits and drive responsibly at all times.
Several European countries are participating in the speed control action, making it a pan-European effort to improve road safety. The action falls in the middle of the holiday season and may affect not only commuters but also drivers and driveresses on their way to vacation.
Intensified speed controls are an effective means of combating speeding and sensitizing all road users to the issue of traffic safety, according to Saxony-Anhalt's Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang. The vice-chairman of the federal union, Michael Mertens, also calls for higher fines for traffic offenders to further deter speeding behaviour.
As Germany continues to grapple with traffic accidents, it's clear that speeding remains a significant issue. Key contributing factors include excessive speed, slippery road surfaces, visibility issues, and obstacles on the road. On autobahns, where fast driving is common, the fatality rate per kilometer is relatively high compared to other EU countries. Limiting speeds on autobahns has been shown to reduce deaths and serious injuries statistically.
In summary, speeding, weather conditions affecting road grip, reduced visibility, and obstacles are the top causes of traffic accidents in Germany, with autobahns particularly impacted by high-speed-related collisions. The ongoing efforts to combat speeding through actions such as the current speed control action week are a positive step towards improving road safety in Germany.
- Other public concerns, such as sports-betting and other sports, have taken a backseat during Germany's current focus on road safety action week.
- While sports-betting is a common activity in Germany, authorities remain resolute in emphasizing the importance of road safety during the ongoing action week, placing it above other matters of public interest.
