Tempo limit in Calbe: Almost every third driver traveled too quickly

Tempo limit in Calbe: Almost every third driver traveled too quickly

in Calbe (Saale) there was excitement at the beginning of this week when the police carried out a speed control, which brought alarming results to light. During this review, the officials found that almost every third driver disregarded the nightly speed limit. According to the police spokesman Marco Kopitz, 50 of a total of 141 controlled vehicles drove 50 too quickly, the fastest vehicle was traveling at 53 km/h, while only 30 km/h are allowed.

Kopitz further explained that the police do not want to generate any income with these controls, but rather want to work preventively. An important concern is to promote the understanding of road users. Especially now that the warm summer nights invite you to keep the windows of the apartments open, it is important to protect residents from excessive noise pollution. "If the speed limits are not met, the noise level increases significantly," says Kopitz.

history of the speed restriction

The speed limit at 30 km/h between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. was only introduced in May this year. This measure was ordered by the district after it was found that the soundproofing guidelines were exceeded at these times. In the last traffic counts in 2015, i.e. before pandemic, around 12,400 vehicles were counted every day on the passage. In view of these figures, the introduction of the restriction was certainly necessary to improve the living comfort of the residents.

The authority is considering increasing the visibility of the speed limits. Kopitz pointed out that in addition to the already existing signs, flashing signs are also considered in order to better draw the drivers' attention to the speed control. The aim is to persuade as many road users as possible to adhere to the rules and thus protect the adjacent residential areas.

plans for future controls

The police have announced that further controls are carried out to strictly check the compliance with the speed limit. This could not only help reduce the number of traffic violations, but also strengthen awareness of the importance of the nightly speed limit. In the coming months, residents and drivers will be referred to the need for respectful coexistence in the residential area.

The situation in Calbe is a clear sign of how important it is to respect the traffic rules, especially in areas surrounded by houses. The speed limit initiative is intended to ensure that both security and quality of life are preserved in these areas. The police and the municipality are responsible for protecting residents and increasing traffic safety.

The challenge of traffic safety

Overall, this situation illustrates the challenges that cities and municipalities have in ensuring traffic safety and noise protection. In view of the increasing number of vehicles on the streets, it is crucial to take measures to protect both residents and to comply with the legal requirements. The balanced handling of traffic flows will continue to play a central role in the future.

Road safety is a central concern in many cities and municipalities. In Calbe, as in many other places, speed limits are not only a question of traffic safety, but also the quality of life of the residents. Increasing the noise level by driving too fast can have serious effects on the health of citizens, including sleep disorders and increased stress. Studies have shown that long-term noise pollution can be connected to various health problems such as cardiovascular diseases and psychological stress.

For a holistic view of the traffic situation in Calbe, it is important to consider the effects of speed overrun in the context of urban planning and quality of living. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise emissions are a serious health risk. This also includes the street noise, which is perceived as stressful, especially in residential areas. In this sense, the focus on speed controls and the use of technical aids such as flashing notices could help reduce the general noise pollution.

historical backgrounds

The introduction of speed limits and their surveillance is not new in Germany. As early as the 1970s, the Federal Republic of Germany began to introduce speed limits nationwide in road traffic in order to reduce accidents and to make road traffic safer. These measures were issued in response to rising number of accidents and the growing vehicle density. In the following decades, too, adjustments to speed limits and speed controls were made again and again, especially in residential areas.

A concise example from the past is the introduction of the nightly speed limit on federal roads, which was heavily discussed in the face of increasing noise pollution and accidents in the 1980s. At that time, as today, the focus was on improving the quality of life of the residents and the reduction of traffic accidents. The development of traffic safety measures shows that the topic remains relevant, especially in urban areas with dense residential construction.

Current statistics

According to the current Federal Statistical Office's current traffic accident statistics, there were over 2.7 million traffic violations reported in Germany in 2021 due to speed overruns. Compliance with the speed limits is particularly important in residential areas and on streets with appropriate speed limits. In a general survey carried out by the DEKRA, 70% of those surveyed expressed that they feel threatened by driving too fast in residential areas. The results of such statistics underline the need for increased speed controls and clarification of road users.

In addition, studies show that the installation of speed measuring systems can lead to a significant reduction in speed overruns. In cities that have introduced such systems, a reduction in speed overrun by up to 50% could be observed in many cases. These numbers are in line with the goals of traffic safety and show that preventive measures can be effective in order to increase safety in road traffic.