German police union calls for 30 km/h urban speed limits

The German police union (GdP) is advocating for a default speed limit of 30 km/h in urban areas to enhance road safety. 

Data from the German Federal Statistical Office indicates that pedestrian deaths in road collisions in Germany rose to 437 in 2023, an increase of 69 deaths compared to the previous year. Most fatal traffic crashes occur within towns and cities; 335 pedestrians died in urban areas last year, 61 more than the year before.

While the GdP suggests 30 km/h should be the standard speed limit in cities, they acknowledge that exceptions could be made in areas where pedestrian paths are adequately secured. Currently, in Germany, cities must justify the implementation of 30 km/h speed limits in specific areas. The GdP’s proposal would reverse this, requiring cities to explain why certain sections are safe enough to allow vehicles to travel faster.

More than 1,000 cities and districts, representing over 40 million residents, support broader implementation of 30 km/h speed limits to improve safety and reduce noise and emissions. The pedestrian advocacy group FUSS wants to see universal 30 km/h speed limits, particularly on main roads where many collisions occur when pedestrians cross streets with 50 km/h speed limits. 

A 2022 simulation by the German Federal Environment Agency indicated that a 30 km/h speed limit would likely reduce both noise and pollutant emissions.