Berlin Reinstates Speed Limit of 50 km/h on 22 Streets

The Berlin Senate has announced the removal of the 30 km/h speed limit on 22 major streets, reverting to a limit of 50 km/h during daytime hours. This change comes as part of a revised air quality management plan aimed at improving traffic flow and addressing previous restrictions put in place to enhance air quality.

Several years ago, a speed limit of 30 km/h was implemented on 40 segments of main roads to reduce pollution levels and comply with European air quality standards. With the recent improvements in air quality on many of these routes, the Senate has decided that the stricter speed limit is no longer necessary.

Traffic Senator Ute Bonde from the CDU party stated that the primary goal of cleaner air has been met on numerous roads, allowing for the relaxation of the speed limit. However, not all areas will see this change; seven sections will maintain the 30 km/h limit due to ongoing air quality concerns, where pollutant levels still exceed acceptable limits. Additionally, 11 other sections will continue to have reduced speed limits due to safety considerations, particularly in areas near schools and senior facilities.

Among the streets where the speed limit will be increased to 50 km/h are:

• Albrechtstraße from Robert-Lück-Straße to Neue Filandastraße
• Dorotheenstraße from Wilhelmstraße to Friedrich-Ebert-Platz
• Friedrichstraße from Unter den Linden to Dorotheenstraße
• Invalidenstraße from Alexanderufer (Sandkrugbrücke) to Scharnhorststraße
• Oranienburger Straße from Roedernallee to Wilhelmsruher Damm

Despite this decision, there are adjustments in specific locations. For instance, on the Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße, the limit between Otto-Suhr-Allee and Bismarckstraße will remain at 30 km/h. Similarly, sections of the Elsenstraße and Torstraße will also retain the lower speed limits.

Furthermore, the Senate has implemented a nighttime speed limit of 30 km/h on several major roads from 10 PM to 6 AM to mitigate noise pollution and protect public health. This initiative encompasses approximately 230 kilometers of roadways, although the exact date for its enforcement remains unconfirmed.

The decision to lift the daytime 30 km/h restrictions has faced criticism from various political factions, particularly the Green Party, which has accused the Senate of neglecting public safety. They argue that reinstating the 50 km/h limit contradicts efforts to improve air quality and protect vulnerable road users, such as children and the elderly.

Concerns regarding traffic safety have also been voiced by the SPD party, which has expressed dissatisfaction with the methodology used to assess the roads chosen for speed limit increases. Critics argue that the evaluations were not sufficiently thorough and based on arbitrary judgments rather than solid data.

As the debate continues, the Senate's decision reflects a broader tension in urban planning between the goals of efficient traffic management and the commitment to public safety and environmental health.