Wissing regrets failure of new transport regulations
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has regretted the failure of the new road traffic regulations. "I very much regret that the federal states did not agree to the amendment of the Road Traffic Act in the Bundesrat," the FDP politician told the German Press Agency in Mainz. "We wanted to give local authorities more room for maneuver on the ground. However, this is obviously not what the federal states want."
A law passed by the Bundestag requiring approval fell short of the required majority in the state chamber on Friday. It provided for new regulations in road traffic law that would give cities and municipalities more leeway, for example for the establishment of bus lanes and 30 km/h zones.
The law stipulated that, in addition to the fluidity and safety of traffic, climate and environmental protection, health and urban development objectives should also be taken into account. As the law did not receive a majority, the Federal Council removed an amendment to the Road Traffic Act based on it from the agenda.
It was envisaged, for example, that local authorities would be able to set up "special lanes" to test climate-friendly mobility - for example for e-cars, hydrogen vehicles or cars with several occupants. There should also be more flexibility for residents' parking zones, bus lanes and cycle paths. It should be easier to set a 30 km/h speed limit, for example on stretches of road near playgrounds and school routes as well as in gaps between two 30 km/h zones, so that traffic flows more easily.
Despite the failure of the new road traffic regulations, the Federal Council had planned to give municipalities more control over traffic. However, the proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Act did not gain the necessary support in the Bundesrat, consequently, limiting the possibilities for municipalities to introduce measures like bus lanes and 30 km/h zones.
Source: www.dpa.com
