Walter-Borjans outraged by campaign: SPD boss accuses CSU of splitting society at speed limit – politics

Hardly any other transport policy issue polarizes Germany as much as the question of a general speed limit. The debate has flared up as a result of an ADAC push after the largest automobile club in Germany has softened its course at 130 km / h on motorways. One of the keenest opponents of such plans is Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer from the CSU, His party now has one Campaign against a general speed limit started on German motorways.

Transport Minister Scheuer is strictly against the speed limit

“The CSU is clearly opposed to this ideologically motivated project by the Greens, SPD and Die Linke”, says a website under the title: “Speed ​​limit? No thanks!”. The speed can already be limited at danger points or for reasons of noise protection.

A speed limit is controversial in the black-red coalition. The SPD is in favor, the Union largely against it. Before Christmas, Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer told the German Press Agency: “We have far more outstanding tasks than putting this highly emotional topic over and over again in the shop window – for which there are no majorities.”

SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans told the Tagesspiegel about the action from Bavaria: “That the CSU with its anti-speed limit campaign a wedge in society wanting to drive is extremely negligent. ”The CSU trivializes the proven dangers of driving fast for people, the climate and dealing with each other on the motorways.

“With her refusal to act, she torpedoed the goal of reaching a broad social consensus here. But what we urgently need on this issue is a coalition of reason – as it already exists in almost every other country in the world, ”said Walter-Borjans.

“Good reasons against a general speed limit”The CSU campaign says:

• The Number of fatalities in countries with speed limits “Drastically higher than in Germany”,
• The real problem is the streets, where speed limits already apply. “They are on federal, state and municipal roads real challenges of road safety. “
• The environmental effect a speed limit is “very low ”. With a general speed limit of 130 km / h, only 0.6% of the CO2 emissions of the transport sector could be saved. “So there is today much more efficient measures for more climate protection in the traffic.”

According to the CSU, 10,000 supporters have registered within two days of the site being activated. CSU general secretary Markus Blume told the “Bild am Sonntag”: “More and more citizens stink from the constant ban delusion. Many citizens, on the other hand, want to set an example and fight back. ”

SPD vice-group leader Sören Bartol had accused the Christian socialists of “loss of reality” on Sunday. There is now “a social majority for a speed limit,” Bartol told AFP. “The CSU should also face this reality – loss of reality is unworthy of a people’s party,” said the traffic expert.

CSU make themselves the “laughing stock in the world” at the speed limit, say the Greens

The party leader of the Greens, Anton Hofreiter, told Tagesspiegel: “The CSU’s signature campaign is absurd and ignores the realities in the country. This makes the CSU a splinter party and shoots itself offside. “It must be about guaranteeing the safety and freedom of all road users.

“Freedom doesn’t mean ruthless lawn. It is incomprehensible that the CSU is stubbornly opposed to a speed limit that can protect human life and is normal in almost all other countries. ”

Group deputy Oliver Krischer criticized the CSU campaign as “populist”. “With its permanent blockade of a speed limit, the CSU makes Germany the laughing stock in the world,” Krischer told AFP. “If even the ADAC is no longer against a speed limit, it shows how far the CSU is going to the sidelines.” Krischer accused the CSU of “having finally given up the middle of society in climate and transport policy and adhering to one to keep getting smaller and smaller “.

Traffic Court Day demands study on speed limit

Ansgar Staudinger, the President of the Verkehrsgerichtstag (VGT), had just asked the federal government for a comprehensive scientific study on the speed limit on motorways. There is currently no “really reliable data,” said Staudinger, the dpa news agency. “We have a research hole in this area. “

The investigation should clarify how Tempo 130 would affect traffic safety and the environment, said the Bielefeld law professor. “If the study shows that 130 km / h brings a gain in traffic safety and more for environmental protection, I am willing to support a speed limit,” he said.

The VGT president accused the opponents of a speed limit of “a blockade policy” without their studies being able to substantiate their opinion. “I find it incomprehensible that the no is carried around like a mantra,” said Staudinger, without mentioning any names in this context.

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