The German town which scrapped all traffic lights and road signs

[scissorhands]

'In the four weeks since the signs were ripped up, there has not been a single accident.'


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...oad-signs.html

If you find yourself crossing the road in the German town of Bohmte, look both ways – and then perhaps check again.

It has scrapped all its traffic lights and road signs in a radical experiment designed to make the streets safer. Yesterday, the local council said the scheme was a complete success.

In the four weeks since the signs were ripped up, there has not been a single accident.


Officials wanted to test the theory that the 13,000 drivers who use the town every day would take extra care and show each other greater consideration if they were not told what to do.

They secured a £1.8million grant from the European Union to set up the scheme in the town near Hanover.

Four weeks ago, Bohmte banned traffic lights and warning signs, including those instructing drivers to give way or stop.

Only two rules remain – drivers cannot go above 30 mph, the German speed limit for city driving, and everyone has to yield to the right, regardless of whether it is a car, a bike or a mother with a pushchair.

Officials revealed there have been no shunts, bumps or pedestrian injuries in the month since the scheme started.

Previously, there was at least one serious crash every week and scores of lesser 'fender-benders'.

The scheme, based on the idea of 'shared space' from Dutch traffic expert Hans Monderman, will now continue indefinitely. The mayor, Klaus Goedejohann, said: 'Politeness pays – we have proved that.'

Peter Hilbricht, a police officer in charge of traffic planning, added that the main intersection generated about 50 accidents a year before the changes.

'The number plummeted,' he said. 'It has been a sea-change in German attitudes as much as anything else.'

The EU has subsidised similar programmes in seven cities across Europe. Exhibition Road in London has been due to become a 'shared space' for the last three years.

However, funding is an issue and the scheme is not expected to start until next year. One unexpected bonus of the trial in Bohmte is that the town is saving £5,000 a month replacing and repairing signs damaged through normal wear and tear or by vandals.

[oneofsix]

Scissorhands, your signature suits that story. If it wasn't for the crazies i can't imagine them having tried it. Treat people like kids and they behave like it, make them responsible for their own safety and the accidents disappear. I bet the panel beaters hate it.

[Hellzie]

Totally true - also the 'safer' they make cars with all their ABS braking and skid control and all that, the more people feel invincible and the less safe they'll drive.

Same goes for road 'safety' improvements. How on earth was it ever considered that wider roads with wider corner radii make roads safer!?! Sad thing is, so many traffic engineers still think this is the case.

People have the ability to think and use their common sense and take responsibility for their own safety, if you just let them.

[The Pastor]

Totally true - also the 'safer' they make cars with all their ABS braking and skid control and all that, the more people feel invincible and the less safe they'll drive.

Same goes for road 'safety' improvements. How on earth was it ever considered that wider roads with wider corner radii make roads safer!?! Sad thing is, so many traffic engineers still think this is the case.

People have the ability to think and use their common sense and take responsibility for their own safety, if you just let them.

its not the engineers who think this, but the council who approves it.

[Hellzie]

its not the engineers who think this, but the council who approves it.

Are you an an undercover traffic engineer???

[The Pastor]

Are you an an undercover traffic engineer???

im all above board mate

[mashman]

but have speeding ticket numbers risen ... that's fuckin brilliant. Quick, let's try it before they flog the place off

[LBD]

Thats all good in my opinion... courtesy and consideration to all other road users is a large factor in road safety IMO....

And not totally un-related...A few years back I was traveling back from Milford Sound when they were making a car advert...all the little white road markers along about 10km of road had been removed, only the painted lane markings remained....It was like a breath of fresh air...the road seem un cluttered, I felt closer to nature, I noticeably relaxed and enjoyed that stretch of road so much more than I normally would....

Do we really need those ugly white posts that line our roads?

[jonbuoy]

Could only work in Germany, can´t see it working in many other countries.

[scissorhands]

Could only work in Germany, can´t see it working in many other countries.

The only real rule in south east asia was to give way to vehicles bigger than you. Traffic signage was almost totally bare compared to here.

Seemed to work okay. Our roads are so cluttered with painted lines and signage.

Not only is it ugly and expensive to maintain, it appears less effective than moving responsibility on to the driver, to do the right thing.

[\m/]

Try it in a major city, then see how rush hour goes.....

[Kickaha]

make them responsible for their own safety and the accidents disappear.

People have the ability to think and use their common sense and take responsibility for their own safety, if you just let them.

What colour is the sky on the planet you two live on?

[jazfender]

Blenheim doesn't have any traffic lights either but I don't think this would work in any bigger dwellings.

[Camshaft]

'In the four weeks since the signs were ripped up, there has not been a single accident.'


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...oad-signs.html

If you find yourself crossing the road in the German town of Bohmte, look both ways – and then perhaps check again.

It has scrapped all its traffic lights and road signs in a radical experiment designed to make the streets safer. Yesterday, the local council said the scheme was a complete success.

In the four weeks since the signs were ripped up, there has not been a single accident.


Officials wanted to test the theory that the 13,000 drivers who use the town every day would take extra care and show each other greater consideration if they were not told what to do.

They secured a £1.8million grant from the European Union to set up the scheme in the town near Hanover.

Four weeks ago, Bohmte banned traffic lights and warning signs, including those instructing drivers to give way or stop.

Only two rules remain – drivers cannot go above 30 mph, the German speed limit for city driving, and everyone has to yield to the right, regardless of whether it is a car, a bike or a mother with a pushchair.

Officials revealed there have been no shunts, bumps or pedestrian injuries in the month since the scheme started.

Previously, there was at least one serious crash every week and scores of lesser 'fender-benders'.

The scheme, based on the idea of 'shared space' from Dutch traffic expert Hans Monderman, will now continue indefinitely. The mayor, Klaus Goedejohann, said: 'Politeness pays – we have proved that.'

Peter Hilbricht, a police officer in charge of traffic planning, added that the main intersection generated about 50 accidents a year before the changes.

'The number plummeted,' he said. 'It has been a sea-change in German attitudes as much as anything else.'

The EU has subsidised similar programmes in seven cities across Europe. Exhibition Road in London has been due to become a 'shared space' for the last three years.

However, funding is an issue and the scheme is not expected to start until next year. One unexpected bonus of the trial in Bohmte is that the town is saving £5,000 a month replacing and repairing signs damaged through normal wear and tear or by vandals.

go to new lynn, i think they went for the other extreme, lets see how many sets of lights we can put it one straight piece of road, oh wait, why dont we fuck up the cycles to so the public get real enraged and . . . .

[scumdog]

Could only work in Germany, can´t see it working in many other countries.

Well certainly not in this country full of 'me' drivers who think they're shit-hot and/or don't have a clue...or care......