The traffic is too fast : that's Why pedestrian life in Berlin is so dangerous

Seven deaths in the capital since the beginning of the year already, six of them were walking on the road. Last year, 45 people lost in total in the Berlin transport your life. 19 of them pedestrians.

in the World every 60 seconds the death of a pedestrian. In the current traffic safety study of the Alliance review published on Thursday. You only have to look to Germany, seems to be the life of the pedestrians, however, have in recent years improved.

Though 2018, the number of all traffic fatalities for the first time in 2015, once again increased (+2.7 percent) to 3265, are killed in an accident with 458 less dead pedestrians in road traffic fatal than in the previous year (minus 6.1 percent). In contrast, the number of fatally injured cyclists has risen.

The development doesn't change the fact that pedestrian life in Germany, nevertheless, dangerous. One in every six deaths in Germany was pedestrian. Add to that the numerous accidents, with injuries. 2017 7400 pedestrian suffered good severe injuries, more than 23,100 people suffered slight injuries.

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order That pedestrians in Berlin has obviously more dangerous life than the average of the Republic, first of all, a simple explanation: In large cities, where you can walk to the corner Store or to the next bus stop are just more people on foot than in the country. "A third of the way done in Berlin by foot", says Dorothee Winden. Spokeswoman for the Berlin Senate Department for transport.

many of these routes with accidents, is up to the pedestrians themselves, not be careful when Crossing the streets or red traffic lights disobey, but also to the car drivers who race at high speed through the city and at the Berlin bike riders that like to do the sidewalk to the roadway.

"The traffic is too fast," says Roland Stimpel from the pedestrian lobby Association of the foot. The former Journalist fights for Tempo 30 in the city and against the decay of morals in the traffic. At crossings wild parked cars for pedestrians are high-risk, angry Stimpel. If cars are blocking the view, you can't see when on the road, a vehicle comes.

motorists have the protection of the body, cyclists, at least the helmet, but pedestrians are completely unprotected. It comes to a collision, it is for the people to walk, therefore, very poor. The Berlin police, is injured in more than 93 percent of the accidents to the pedestrian, at least.

If the walkway to the ride is the cycle route are: cyclists endanger pedestrians.Photo: imago/Seeliger

"The Last bite the dogs," says Siegfried Brockmann, head of the accident research of the insurers. According to the accident figures, the car is the main enemy. However, the Numbers are on the decline, unlike in the case of collisions with cyclists. From 2001 to 2017, the number of accidents in which cyclists pedestrians injured increased by seven per cent. Cyclists are involved in every fifth case of death of a pedestrian, according to the Alliance.

"Dodge cyclists on the pavement if the road is too dangerous or you don't get there," says accident expert Brockmann. Will be punished, but only in the rarest cases. "Who represents its interests, not only energetic enough,", said Brockmann. Is allowed to Drive on the sidewalk to the road traffic regulations, only children up to the age of ten years and an adult.

the E-scooters are still staying?

traffic experts fear that the Situation of the pedestrians still have worsened. Because the Federal Minister of transport, Andreas Scheuer (CSU) will in the future allow electric scooters on the sidewalk. Children up to the age of twelve years shall be allowed to drive with the E-scooter up to 12 miles an hour on the sidewalk.

pedestrians do not come here. The elderly do not often create three kilometres an hour. Stimpel is horrified: If adolescents are allowed to flit at the end of three Times as fast as by foot, Walking on sidewalks, be the "ethically insane". In Barcelona of the accident with an E-Scooter a 90 cost Years of life, now Spain has banned the scooters from the pedestrian walkway.

"The protection of the citizen rooms"

increases in The Federal Cabinet has approved Scheuers plans recently, on 17. In may, the Federal Council on train. The countries agree, it would enter the regulation into force immediately. But some countries have already expressed concerns, including Berlin. Miniature electric vehicles could improve intra-urban mobility", says transport Senator Regine Günther (independent, Green). This did not go at the expense of weaker participants in traffic. "The citizens' protective spaces for Pedestrians, especially for children, the Elderly and people with restricted mobility are on the increases," she says. "I think it's important that you can move freely and safely. E-scooters on the pavements run counter to this claim. Therefore, we will work in the Bundesrat to ensure that E-scooters are not allowed on sidewalks," says Günther.

kids in danger

The Alliance investigated more than 180 pages of the report, which pedestrians are particularly at risk. "More than half of the pedestrians killed in Germany is older than 64 years", reported Jochen Haug, Allianz Board member for the non-life insurance. "And the proportion rose last year, once again, strongly, from 51 to 56 percent."

Stimpel not surprised at the move. The traffic will always be confusing, he says, especially seniors, were quickly overwhelmed. But children are also in danger. 2017 in Germany died 19 kids younger than 15, as they were walking in the traffic on the road. The number of killed or injured pedestrians, 21 percent of them were school children under 15. Particularly pedestrians, from October to February are at risk, in the twilight or darkness.

E-scooters shall be allowed to drive under certain conditions on the sidewalk.Photo: Hannah/REUTERS

pedestrians cause according to the study, but, not infrequently, even accidents. Distraction plays a significant role, especially through the Smartphone. According to the representative survey of the insurance tap or texts, 43 per cent of the Federal citizens, 45 per cent taking pictures with the phone, 28 percent listen to music. Almost two-thirds of the pedestrians making calls while walking. "The use of electronic devices increases the probability for a pedestrian to suffer an accident," said Haug. The music increases the risk to listen to more than four times, the texts Twice.

Automatic brake systems in cars can prevent the worst from happening, stressing the Alliance. The insurance advocates, to install such systems for the reverse drive. "Pedestrians need to be recognized in each Situation," says Christoph Lauterwasser, CEO of Allianz center for technology. In addition, the Alliance for the more Tempo-30-zones and warns of E-bikes on the sidewalk.

What is planned in the capital

Berlin has included the pedestrian to the mobility law. "The foot traffic is finally positioned as an equal part of the mobility a new and enhanced," says Senator Guenther. The capital is set to "Germany-wide Standards".

Specifically, this means: the width of roads should be able to cross pedestrians in the future, in a train instead of waiting on Mediterranean Islands. Traffic lights should be closer to the intersections, sidewalks should be considered a piece of on the road, so strollers and wheelchairs will not be hindered longer by Parking cars. The green phases at traffic lights can be extended, the traffic on side streets contained. Car-free zones are to be expanded.

The districts to make plans for children on the way to school safer, and there should be more student pilots. Curbs should be reduced and sidewalks widened to facilitate wheelchair users, parents with strollers and people with walkers life.

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And also a everyday conflict wants to defuse Günther: cycle lanes at bus stops should be placed behind the stops in order to avoid collisions of cyclists with Busnutzern. Within five years of the ten major new projects planned, begun or be completed, says Günther. This may be the reconstruction of streets, a car-free day, or model projects.