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Forbidden shortcuts in residential areas: Drivers endanger children!
In Tuttlingen, residents notice illegal shortcuts through the green belt. Dangers to pedestrians and children lead to calls for solutions.
Forbidden shortcuts in residential areas: Drivers endanger children!
Recently, resident Iris W. observed the real traffic chaos in the Thiergarten residential area. Motorists repeatedly use the green strip to cut off from Rußbergstraße and the adjacent cycle paths and footpaths. Iris, who wishes to remain anonymous, discovered fresh tire tracks and herself saw some vehicles taking this unsafe route. According to her description, the official access to the residential area via a small roundabout is apparently a thorn in the side for many drivers, which is why they prefer to take the illegal shortcuts.
The 500 meter long green strip that runs between Rußbergstrasse and the parallel pedestrian and cycle path poses risks. Iris reports on dangerous situations that particularly affect children. The use of cycle paths by drivers could have fatal consequences, especially when you consider the unsecured children in traffic. In fact, the main focus of road safety is on protecting children, who are often particularly badly affected in accidents, as various statistics show. According to Bussgeldkatalog, around one in five drivers in Germany who have a fatal accident die every year due to not wearing a seat belt.
Dangerous shortcuts
Another road safety breach occurred when Iris caught a van driver driving onto the footpath and cycle path. After calling the police, they quickly came to the scene and confronted the driver. He promptly had to pay a fine, but Iris sees this as a problem: the official report could make her identity known and put a strain on the neighborhood. They have raised these concerns several times in discussions with the city administration, but there is confusion about how to address the problem.
To remedy the situation, the city is planning to install a bollard at the entrance to the pedestrian and cycle path to Graf-von-Galen-Straße. The aim is to prevent unauthorized use of the path by cars. In addition, tall grass will be planted in the green strip, which will serve as a natural barrier until the end of summer so that drivers don't even have the idea of cutting through the residential area.
The legal consequences
The risks caused by such traffic disruptions should not be underestimated. Driving without a seatbelt, using your cell phone while driving or ignoring the obligation to wear a seatbelt not only pose personal risks, but also fines. These vary depending on the offense, so that, for example, using a cell phone while driving is punished with 100 euros and one point, as can be found on Bussgeldkatalog. Traffic obstacles can also be punished with up to 80 euros and a point on your driving license.
The city is therefore forced to take early measures to ensure the safety of residents and nip such illegal behavior in the bud. The protection of all road users, especially weaker ones such as children, should always be a priority.