Eisenach relies on speed 20: Dispute over new traffic regulation begins!

Eisenach relies on speed 20: Dispute over new traffic regulation begins!

The city of Eisenach plans to introduce speed 20 in parts of the city center, probably from February or March 2025. This decision is supported by Mayor Christoph Ihling (CDU), who emphasizes the need to make the city center more attractive. However, the initiative meets resistance, especially drivers who primarily express their concerns online.

In other Thuringian cities such as Weimar, Jena and Erfurt, speed 20 is already established on certain streets. While these measures initially met with skepticism, the concerns, according to Ihling, rose relatively quickly. The introduction of speed 20 is supported by the ADAC, among other things, which highlights the advantages for increased clarity and more livable inner cities. Critics fear that this regulation will make the city center more unattractive for drivers.

Discussion about traffic safety and quality of life

Proponents of the measure argue that traffic calming increases the quality of life and brings advantages for all road users. The city administration of Eisenach has set itself the goal of promoting equality between cars, pedestrians and cyclists. A central aspect of the discussion is the planned test phase of two years, after the end of which the results should take place.

There are no stationary speed cameras in Eisenach. Instead, the city wants to use digital displays that are supposed to work with friendly or sad faces in order to create a certain motivation among road users. Ihling emphasizes that many speed signs are not properly perceived, which underlines the need for this new measure.

The planned introduction of speed 20 is part of a wider strategy that should not only improve traffic structures but also the quality of stay in the city center. These developments fit in trend that more and more cities in Germany are thinking about introducing similar regulations as such as the time reported.