Speed ​​limit: emissions researcher calls for 80 km/h – for “important today”

Speed ​​limit: emissions researcher calls for 80 km/h – for “important today”

speed limit or not? The “important today” audience is largely in agreement – and agrees with emissions researcher Prof. Stefan Hausberger: “From an environmental point of view, a speed limit only has positive effects.”

Hardly any topic heats up the minds in car-loving Germany as much as a possible general speed limit. The editors of “Today Important” also found out after speaking out. Hardly any other episode had so many listeners participating in the debate – which is why emission researcher Professor Stefan Hausberger from the Graz University of Technology has his say in episode 280. For Prof. Hausberger, the benefit of a speed limit from a scientific point of view is beyond question, he explains in an interview with “Today Important” editor Dimitri Blinski: “From an environmental point of view, a speed limit only has positive effects, they have less consumption and fewer CO2 emissions. Nitrogen oxides and particle emissions are also significantly reduced.”

A speed limit would reduce pollutants

The most common argument against the speed limit: It would only save a little carbon dioxide, other means would be more effective. The emissions researcher Stefan Hausberger says: “What can you do as an alternative to the speed limit to save CO2? Driving bans or making fuel even more expensive so that people drive less, these are much more drastic measures.” In addition, he also recalls other damage that many cars and high speeds cause: “A speed limit not only saves CO2 and reduces fuel consumption. It also reduces noise, nitrogen oxides and particles. And these are pollutants that harm the population. ”

Emission researchers: “The speed limit is one of the gentle measures”

Listeners had already sent questions to the editors in advance and asked, among other things, why a speed of 130 km/h is usually discussed for the speed limit. The emissions researcher and traffic expert says: “130 is a political compromise that has to be found in a democracy. […] Ecologically, 80 would be the best, but that’s certainly not a majority.” In the “today important” community, the clear majority is also in favor of a speed limit and listener Norbert even dares to try himself on his commute between Hamburg and Heide. He saves at full throttle it only takes 13 minutes compared to a speed of under 140 km/h, but consumes 55 percent more petrol: “I don’t know why we are not able to finally carry out the old mantra of ‘free travel for free citizens’ to give up. It’s completely out of date and just doesn’t fit today’s traffic situation.”

The FDP had prevailed in the coalition agreement of the traffic light government, the speed limit is off the table for the time being. Nevertheless, in mid-May the environment ministers of the federal states called for the speed limit – the traffic light will probably have to deal with this question again.

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Source: Stern

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