Road Traffic Law Reform: Lowest Common Denominator Instead of a Big Leap?

The Berlin-based think tank Agora Verkehrswende has raised doubts about the likely decisions ahead of the decisive meeting of the federal cabinet on the reform of road traffic law next Wednesday. In the coalition agreement, the traffic light parties had agreed on a major breakthrough: In addition to the fluidity and safety of traffic, the goals of climate and environmental protection, health, and urban development should be considered in the law, the think tank reminded.

In practice, this involves the expansion of public transport and improvements for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, parking management and traffic calming. The scope of action for states and municipalities should be expanded, and opportunities for sustainable mobility and livable cities improved, the Berlin observers outlined.

However, most recently it has become apparent that the draft from the Federal Ministry of Transport will likely fall significantly short of the announcements in the coalition agreement, the analysts speculate. There is even a fear of a setback compared to the current legal situation. They have been accompanying the reform project for months with analyses and recommendations.