New zebra crossing in Munich: Safety for pedestrians in focus!

New zebra crossing in Munich: Safety for pedestrians in focus!

There is a fresh innovation in the center of Munich that affects drivers and pedestrians alike: a new zebra crossing in bright yellow was inaugurated at the Old Town Hall on Sparkassenstrasse. This marking, which has been visible to all road users since Thursday, comes at a time when road safety is very important in the Bavarian capital. Mayor Dominik Krause from the Greens is particularly optimistic that this step will lead to a noticeable increase in traffic safety. His goal is to ensure that all Munich residents, especially older people, can travel safely.

But what is the reality on the streets? Many pedestrians often cross the street without paying attention to traffic, creating a confusing and potentially dangerous situation. However, the rules are clear: Cars and cyclists coming from the valley must give way to pedestrians. “This will be a challenge, especially in a city where road users often do not adhere to the new regulations,” says mobility officer Georg Dunkel. He announced that he would closely monitor the effectiveness of the zebra crossing as part of a temporary traffic trial in order to make adjustments if necessary.

Modern traffic regulations for more safety

With the adjustment of the road traffic regulations (StVO), the path to setting up zebra crossings has been made significantly easier. Pedestrian crossings are now no longer tied to specific local danger situations. “We now officially see pedestrians as flowing traffic,” explains a spokesman for the ADFC. In addition, zebra crossings can be set up in many places where strict requirements previously applied. This is being done as part of a comprehensive plan to increase the safety of vulnerable road users. For example, in 2022, eleven people were killed on zebra crossings and 1,515 were injured - an alarming result that illustrates the need for action.

The new regulation makes it possible for zebra crossings to be created as needed in the future without the strict regulations of the past coming into force. In 30 km/h zones alone, zebra crossings can increase safety as they provide traffic calming measures. Speed ​​limits of 30 km/h are permitted in front of and at zebra crossings, and most of the previous restrictions, such as the minimum distances between crossings, have lost their relevance.

Protection for pedestrians and cyclists

Another aspect that needs to be taken into account is the behavior of cyclists. These often do not adhere to the prescribed walking speed, especially in the Kustermannstraße at Viktualienmarkt, which is designated as a pedestrian zone and is also accessible to cyclists, buses and taxis. This shows that clear rules for harmonious coexistence between pedestrians and cyclists are urgently needed in order to avoid conflicts at important crossings.

Since zebra crossings can now be installed near cycle paths, it will be easier to create safe crossings in the future, especially for people with disabilities. In summary, these advances are promising for improving safety on Munich's roads while keeping the needs of all road users in mind.

In the spirit of pedestrian advice, there are also simple regulations for pedestrians: clear body language, walking purposefully and no sudden movements in order not to unnecessarily challenge the driver's attention. A careful approach to each other could help to further reduce the number of accidents.

You can find out more about the topics of zebra crossings and traffic safety in Munich in the articles from South German newspaper, ADFC and FOOT e.V..