BMDV & DVR #moreAttention in Traffic: Campaign Faces Criticism

From August, special posters with messages are set to be seen at around 700 locations along highways nationwide, encouraging all road users to show more mutual respect and vigilance. #moreRespect is the road safety initiative launched in June by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and the German Road Safety Council (DVR). It is embedded in the "Slow Down" campaign, which is supported by a partner alliance of more than 50 associations, ministries, clubs, and foundations. In addition, accident insurers, professional associations, and the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) are supporting the nationwide poster campaign. A total of three poster designs with the messages "More Light, Less Horn," "More Smart, Less Phone," and "More Time, Less Pressure" were created.

"To achieve Vision Zero, we need #moreRespect on the roads. Mutual consideration is required not only in urban areas and on rural roads but especially on highways," said Federal Transport Minister Dr. Volker Wissing, emphasizing, "Road safety is a team effort. Every road user is required to take responsibility. Therefore, our designs encourage more mindfulness and raise awareness for respectful interactions on the highway."

According to DVR President Manfred Wirsch, with humans as a central part of the traffic system, alongside clear rules, the attention and consideration of all road users are required – “especially at high speeds on the Autobahn.” The initiators point to a survey they commissioned, which indicates that reckless behavior by other road users is considered the primary cause of stress in traffic. Another result of the study: experienced mindfulness in traffic particularly motivates individuals to be mindful themselves.

“A prudent and considerate attitude in traffic is a key pillar of accident prevention. Therefore, we are pleased to bring even more attention to the new nationwide initiative #mehrAchtung with the Autobahn billboard campaign,” said Dr. Stefan Hussy, Chief Executive Officer of DGUV.

The initiative aims to make an important contribution to achieving the Vision Zero goal – no fatalities and serious injuries in road traffic. According to the Federal Statistical Office, a total of 2,788 people lost their lives in traffic accidents on German roads in 2022.

Criticism from Associations: Real Reforms Instead of Posters

Criticism came from environmental associations. On the occasion of World Bicycle Day on June 3, the associations Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD), Verbund für Service und Fahrrad (VSF), and Zukunft Fahrrad had already called for more safety in road traffic. Mindfulness and consideration are important virtues, but they are not enough by themselves. Reforms are also needed, said the three associations. The Ministry of Transport under Volker Wissing must reform the Road Traffic Act and abandon the preference for cars. Additionally, the legislator must allow the reduction of the speed limit in urban areas to 30 km/h – as demanded by the 742 municipalities in the ‘Livable Cities and Municipalities’ alliance. The three associations also call for a safe infrastructure for everyone in traffic. This includes well-developed bike and pedestrian paths with safe intersections and stricter enforcement of existing laws.

“The cause of accidents is often the high speed of cars. To change this, we don't need a friendly recommendation to drive carefully – we need a speed limit of 120 km/h on the Autobahn, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 30 km/h in urban areas,” demands Michael Müller-Görnert, transport policy spokesperson for VCD.

He demands "quick reforms instead of empty appeals." The Minister of Transport refuses to address the issue. He has the power to reduce the number of traffic deaths by changing the laws. “Instead, he sticks to putting up posters,” Müller-Görnert further criticized. The VSF managing director, Uwe Wöll, criticizes that the campaign "#mehrAchtung" launched by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMDV) and the German Road Safety Council (DVR) at the end of May assigns responsibility equally to all road users.

“The campaign mentions the figure of almost 2,800 deaths and 300,000 injuries per year. However, it is not mentioned that cars are involved in 75 percent of all accidents with personal injury. This suggests an equality of means of transport that does not exist in reality – those who walk or ride a bike are more frequently injured but are much less often responsible for serious accidents,” Wöll laments.

For Elena Laidler-Zettelmeyer, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Zukunft Fahrrad, it is clear that many people want to cycle more but do not do so because they do not feel safe on the roads. A mindfulness campaign can only be one element of a larger package of measures for more safety. It needs a genuine commitment to fair space distribution in favor of active mobility.

"It remains the primary task of those politically responsible to ensure more safety through a better political framework, so that everyone can participate equally in traffic," appeals Laidler-Zettelmeyer.

VCD, VSF, and Zukunft Fahrrad call on the Ministry of Transport to enable speed limits and advance the development of safe bike and pedestrian paths. This would truly show more respect to the people in traffic.