Speed ​​(road traffic)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In addition to the traffic density, the speed in road traffic is a fundamental parameter in road traffic . The flow of traffic , the travel time , the risk of accidents , the severity of the accident, the environmental pollution (noise, exhaust gases and road pollution), fuel consumption and the burden on the driver depend on this.

There are also design-related maximum speeds (or design speed ) or approval- related maximum speeds , this is regulated nationally.

In all countries worldwide there are stipulations for speed in road traffic in the traffic rules . While regulations exist almost everywhere regarding the maximum speed , minimum speeds or recommended speeds only exist in certain countries.

A particular hazard arises from excessive speed, which is the cause of the vast majority of traffic fatalities, mostly in connection with insufficient safety distance . Road users who willfully drive at significantly excessive speed are colloquially referred to as speeders .

Country-specific rules

Germany

The vehicle driver must choose the speed in road traffic so that he can bring his vehicle to a stop within the manageable distance.

He has to take into account the specific road, traffic, visibility and weather conditions, his own abilities and those of the controlled vehicle including the load. In the case of a very narrow lane, which can pose a risk to oncoming vehicles, it must be possible to stop within half of the manageable distance. This is required by § 3 StVO.

The maximum speed of 50 km / h in built-up areas in Germany applies exclusively to motor vehicles, whereas speed restrictions imposed by traffic signs ( § 41 StVO sign 274) apply to vehicles of all kinds. This sign can also allow speeds higher than 50 km / h . In urban areas, this also applies to motor vehicles for which there is a maximum speed based on the type of vehicle, for example trucks or cars with trailers.

Outside built-up areas there is a speed limit of 100 km / h. Exceptions to this are motorways and roads on which the directional lanes are separated from each other by structural measures (e.g. a median ) or at least two lanes are marked for each direction of travel . A recommended speed of 130 km / h applies on these roads . These are merely recommendations. If you ignore the highest value here, you will not commit a violation, but in the event of an accident, under the aspect of operational risk , you may suffer a higher liability for damage as a disadvantage.

Exceeding the maximum permitted speed constitutes a traffic offense and is punished with a warning or fine , depending on the amount exceeded . In addition, a one to three month driving ban can be imposed. The police or municipal authorities carry out speed measurements, for example using radar , laser devices, light barriers or distance-time calculations.

In the meantime, an experimental speed limit of 140 km / h has been introduced on the federal motorway 2 between Hanover and Braunschweig . This is the first route in Germany that has a speed limit that is higher than the recommended speed .

Someone who has to pay attention to the right of way has to signal to the other road user by moderate speed that he will wait ( § 8 Abs. 2 StVO). You also have to approach each zebra crossing at a reduced speed . Pedestrians who want to cross the lane should be able to do so safely from vehicles approaching too high a speed. The vehicle traffic needs within a traffic zone pace adhere.

There are design-related maximum speeds , which means that, for example, an agricultural vehicle or a tracked vehicle may not exceed one speed for technical reasons. Exceeding this limit can cause lasting damage to the vehicle (wheel suspension, axle) or the road surface . These are marked with speed signs according to § 58 Abs. 3 StVZO . Also, snow chains have a maximum design speed of 50 km / h after § 3 para. 4 Highway Code .

Switzerland

A speed limit of 50 km / h applies in built-up areas in Switzerland , this is indicated by the sign «Maximum speed 50 in general». In contrast to Germany and Austria, the place-name signs have no influence on speed. Outside built-up areas, in contrast to Germany and Austria (100 km / h), only a maximum speed of 80 km / h is permitted. 100 km / h applies on motorways . The maximum speed on motorways is 120 km / h.

In Switzerland, the fines are significantly higher than in Germany, for example. A distinction is made between what the permitted maximum speed and how high the respective speeding violation was (see: Penalties for speeding violations in Switzerland ). The fines for a simple violation of the traffic rules start at CHF 40.- and go up to CHF 600.-, whereby if the speed limit is exceeded (so-called gross violation), a daily fine of between 30 and 120 daily rates and the driver's license are withdrawn. A qualified gross violation of the traffic rules also results in a prison sentence of one year or more (including withdrawal of the driver's license). These harsh penalties were introduced as part of the “via sicura” package in 2013 to improve road safety.

  • At 30 km / h, violations of up to 19 km / h will result in a fine, while from 20 km / h to 39 km / h a fine and withdrawal of the driver's license will result. A speed violation that is greater than 40 km / h is a qualified gross violation of traffic rules according to the "via sicura", which is punished with at least 1 year imprisonment and at least 2 years withdrawal of the driver's license.
  • At 50 km / h (i.e. in urban areas), violations of up to 24 km / h will result in a fine, while from 25 km / h to 49 km / h a fine and the driver's license will be withdrawn. If the speed is exceeded by more than 50 km / h, it is a qualified gross violation of traffic rules according to the "via sicura", which is punished with at least 1 year imprisonment and at least 2 years withdrawal of the driver's license.
  • If the speed limit is exceeded on a road or out of town, a fine will be imposed if the speed limit is up to 29 km / h, while from 30 km / h to 59 km / h a fine and the driver's license will be withdrawn. A speed violation that is greater than 60 km / h is a qualified gross violation of traffic rules according to the "via sicura", which is punished with at least 1 year imprisonment and at least 2 years withdrawal of the driver's license.
  • If the speed limit is exceeded on a motorway, a fine will be pronounced if the speed limit is exceeded up to 34 km / h, while from 35 km / h to 79 km / h a fine and the driver's license will be withdrawn. If the speed is exceeded by more than 80 km / h, it is a qualified gross violation of traffic rules according to the "via sicura", which is punished with at least 1 year imprisonment and at least 2 years withdrawal of the driver's license.

The amount of the fine is variable and multiplied by the number of days and the respective amount of the daily rate. The daily rate is based on the net income per day and the culpability of the offender.

Austria

In Austria the following maximum speeds generally apply: 50 km / h in the local area, 100 km / h on country roads and 130 km / h on motorways. However, the speed must be adjusted according to the external conditions (weather, road conditions, etc.). The permissible maximum speed can be changed both up and down by means of appropriate signs. A precise division of the roads and the maximum permitted speeds is based on the road system in Austria . It is important that speed limits are not lifted by place-name signs. For example, if you drive on an open-air road and pass a limit sign at 70 km / h, you can continue to drive at 70 km / h in a subsequent village, unless the limit sign has been explicitly lifted or replaced by another. Even at the end of the village, the original limit in front of the village of 70 km / h remains in place. Only when the restriction is lifted will 100 km / h be allowed on the open road again.

See also

literature

  • Hentschel, Peter: Road traffic law. Commentary , 40th edition, Verlag CH Beck, Munich 2009, ISBN 978-3-406-58082-6 [only as an example of a whole series of comments on road traffic law] [with comments on the Road Traffic Act (StVG), the Road Traffic Act (StVO) , the Driving License Ordinance (FeV), the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV), the Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance (StVZO), etc. a.]
  • Löhle / Beck: Sources of error in police measuring procedures , 9th edition, Anwalt-Verlag, Bonn 2008, ISBN 3-8240-0983-8
  • Burhoff / Neidel / Grün: Measurements in road traffic (with CD-Rom), 2nd edition, ZAP-Verlag (LexisNexis), Münster 2010, ISBN 978-3-89655-519-9 .
    • (Title of the 1st edition still: speed and distance measurements in road traffic )
  • Becker: Speeding in road traffic , 7th edition, Verlag Luchterhand, 2010, ISBN 978-3-472-07832-6 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ More road safety thanks to Via sicura On: Federal Roads Office FEDRO
  2. ^ David Schneeberger; Over speeding . Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ place-name signs in Austria
  4. ↑ Traffic signs in Austria