New zebra crossing in Munich: Focus on pedestrians!
New zebra crossing in Munich: Focus on pedestrians!
In Munich's center there is a fresh innovation that affects drivers and pedestrians alike: a new crosswalk 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 traffic safety in the Bavarian capital is very popular. Mayor Dominik Krause from the Greens in particular is optimistic that this step will lead to a noticeable increase in traffic safety. His goal is that all Munich, especially the elderly, can be safely traveling.
But what does reality look like on the streets? Many passers -by often cross the road without paying attention to traffic, which leads to a confusing and potentially dangerous Situation. However, the rules are clear: car and cyclists who come from the valley have to let peders lead. "This will be a challenge, especially in a city in which road users often do not adhere to the new regulations," says mobility officer Georg Dunkel. He announced that the effectiveness of the zebra crossing as part of a temporary traffic attempt was to be observed in order to make adjustments if necessary.
Modern traffic regulations for more security
With the adaptation of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), the path for the establishment of zebra crossing was significantly facilitated. Now pedestrian crossings are no longer tied to special local dangers. "We now see the pedestrians officially as flowing traffic," explains a spokesman for the ADFC. In addition, zebra crossing may be set up in many places where there were previously strict requirements. This is done in the context of a comprehensive plan that is intended to increase the safety of the vulnerable road users. For example, eleven people were killed on zebra crossings in 2022, 1,515 were injured - an alarming balance that illustrates the need for action.
The new regulation enables the future to be created as required, without the strict regulations of the past. At 30 zones alone, zebra crossing can now increase security because they bring traffic-calming measures with them. Tempo 30 may be shown in front of and on zebra crossing, and most of the previous restrictions, such as the minimum distances between the transfers, have lost relevance.
protection for pedestrians and cyclists
Another aspect that must be taken into account is the behavior of the cyclists. These often do not adhere to the prescribed walking speed, especially in the Kustermann lane on the Viktualienmarkt, which is designated as a pedestrian zone and is also accessible to cyclists, regular buses and taxis. This shows that clear rules for a harmonious coexistence of pedestrians and cyclists are urgently needed to avoid conflicts at important transitions.
Since zebra crossings can now also be created near cycle paths, it will be easier to create safe transitions in the future, especially for people with impairments. In summary, these progress is promising to improve the security on Munich's streets and at the same time keep an eye on the needs of all road users.
In the sense of pedestrian counseling, there are also simple regulations for pedestrians: clear body language, a targeted walking and no sudden movements so as not to unnecessarily challenge the attention of the drivers. A prudent use of each other could help reduce the number of accidents.
More on the topics of zebra strips and traffic safety in Munich can be found in the articles of Süddeutscher Zeitung , adfc and DetailsOrt Berg am Laim, Deutschland Quellen