Free travel in the new year: low emission zones will be lifted
Because air quality has improved, further driving bans for cars without a green sticker will be introduced from next year. As the Stuttgart Regional Council announced on Thursday, from January 1, it will be free to drive in Heidenheim, Heilbronn, Herrenberg (Böblingen district) and in the area around Leonberg (Böblingen district) and Hemmingen (Ludwigsburg district). In the city of Heilbronn, a speed limit of 50 km/h will apply again instead of 40 km/h to keep the air clean. Trucks will still have to adhere to the ban on driving through the Leonberg area in future.
According to the regional council, measurements have shown that nitrogen dioxide levels in the towns and the Leonberg/Hemmingen region are well below the limit values. The particulate matter limits have already been complied with throughout the state since 2018. According to a press release, the regional council came to the conclusion that the environmental zones were no longer proportionate. The review was initiated by the Ministry of Transport in 2021.
The lifting of low emission zones in several cities and areas has led to improved traffic flow, but it's crucial to remember that this reduction in environmental barriers might also contribute to increased traffic and potential environmental pollution. The success in reducing nitrogen dioxide levels and meeting particulate matter limits should inspire efforts to mitigate other forms of environmental pollution.
Source: www.dpa.com
