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Road Traffic Law and speed 30

Although the road traffic law is being reformed, the municipalities are not being given the desired room for maneuver. Their hands are still tied in many respects. This is evident, among other things, in the guideline speed of 30 km/h. The proposal, which was recently presented for the revision of the StVO, does not cause much enthusiasm. In addition to new criteria such as climate and environment, health and urban development, the focus is still on safety and ease. Thus, many called for 30 km/h to be the rule in the city - but this does not meet with approval. Neither does the fact that the municipality could decide it more easily on its own. So far, only in the context of special features such as retirement homes, such a special regulation was allowed. Otherwise, the focus is on ensuring the flow of traffic. But a few more such danger spots are to be added, such as 30 km/h speed limits at crosswalks. In addition, the 30 zone can be extended from 300 meters to 500 meters. Otherwise, however, this speed limit must continue to be justified by a special hazard situation, and the hands of the municipalities are largely tied.
The other aspects of environment and health show improvement, but not significant. A separate bike lane for environmental reasons can be created, but only under the premise that this does not lead to safety and/or ease problems. These two aspects are precisely the ones that continue to indicate the guiding principle of the StVO, but this is criticized by some voices. In other respects, the reform proposal includes stand-alone bus lanes, charging zones for delivery vehicles, lanes for electric and fuel cell vehicles, and possible resident parking zones.
In November, the corresponding proposals will go through the legislative process in the Bundesrat, so it remains to be seen how the latter will judge.