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A81 near Rottweil (symbolic image): Traffic usually comes off badly when it comes to climate impact

Photo: Silas Stein / IMAGO

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has once again spoken out against a speed limit on motorways. This is an ongoing issue, but not a solution, said the FDP politician of the Funke media group. When asked about a study by the Federal Environment Agency from last year, according to which a limit of 120 kilometers per hour could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 6.7 million tons of CO₂ equivalents, he said: “There are so many numbers floating around. The important thing is that only measures that are accepted can be successful.«

If a speed limit of 120 applies across the board on motorways, 80 on country roads and 30 in urban areas, this would not be accepted in Germany. “People don’t want that.”

However, surveys in the past have suggested that a speed limit on German motorways could find a majority. In a survey conducted by Civey on behalf of T-Online last year, around two thirds of those surveyed said they agreed with a general speed limit. A limit of 130km/h was the most popular. However, 32 percent of those surveyed were in favor of unlimited speed. In a survey by the Insa Institute for the Bild newspaper, there was a majority of 57 percent in favor of a speed limit (130 km/h).

  • You can read a SPIEGEL editorial on the subject of speed limits here:

    Stop the stupid speed 

  • You can find an analysis of the alternatives to a speed limit here: The bitter climate bill for drivers 

Measures must be effective and sensible, said the Transport Minister. »If, for example, a direct route through the villages becomes worthwhile again due to a speed limit on the motorway, the residents will be burdened with noise. We have built infrastructure so that people are relieved of the burden of traffic. Then suggestions come that motivate drivers to choose the shorter route through the towns again. »That doesn't convince me. That's why we're taking other approaches to making transport climate-friendly.«

Last August, the Federal Council of Experts on Climate Issues once again confirmed that the federal government was not on track to achieve the climate target for 2030. By then, Germany would have to emit 65 percent fewer greenhouse gases than in 1990. The transport and building sectors in particular are causing problems.

The climate review report by the industrialized countries organization OECD also found that Germany would have to significantly increase its efforts in order to achieve the goals it had set itself. The OECD expresses clear criticism of the developments - and the measures they believe are not taken - in the transport sector. Germany must act decisively "to promote environmentally friendly mobility as part of an integrated strategy." According to the OECD, many opportunities have not been taken advantage of so far, for example “a broader use of speed limits”.

ok/dpa