Speed ​​limit required: traffic in Stellingen endangers children!

Speed ​​limit required: traffic in Stellingen endangers children!

In Försterweg in Stellingen, where a nearby daycare center is busy, there is a speed limit of 30 km/h. But the reality is often different: residents report numerous speeding incidents by vehicle drivers. Alica Huntemann, member of the SPD parliamentary group in the Eimsbüttel district assembly, has now submitted an application to examine the traffic situation. Their goal: more safety for the children and an improvement in the traffic situation. The Hamburg police have only flashed traffic once since October 2024, when two vehicles were detected that were traveling faster than permitted.

In 2025, 16 accidents had already been registered on the Försterweg by the end of March, two of which were directly related to speeding. Interestingly, the police have not received any complaints about the traffic situation so far this year. This raises the question of whether the existing speed limits are being sufficiently observed. Huntemann is therefore calling for speed measurements in the affected area in order to develop targeted measures that could increase safety. Eimsbütteler Nachrichten reports on the first steps by district politics in this direction.

Speed ​​limit and traffic safety

The speed limit issue has gained momentum across the country. Germany is considered the only European country without a general speed limit on motorways. The numbers speak for themselves: a survey by Allianz Direct shows that 71% of Germans support a speed limit, with 39% in favor of 130 km/h and 32% in favor of 140-150 km/h. The question of road safety is also being intensively discussed by the associations, as 43% of accidents on motorways are due to excessive speed, as in the reports from Allianz Direct and Taxi Today can be read.

Some of the fatal statistics are alarming: In 2023, 2,839 people died in traffic in Germany, including 842 due to excessive speed. The discussion about speed limits is particularly fueled by the high number of accidents. In Schleswig-Holstein, for example, 330 illegal motor vehicle races were registered, indicating worrying driving behavior. This road reality urgently needs to change to ensure the safety of all road users.

Social resistance and vision of the future

Despite this serious data, there is still resistance to a general speed limit. Critics argue that speed limits restrict individual freedoms and could lead to a loss of time. Nevertheless, surveys show that a large part of the population supports a legal speed limit. Environmental groups and police unions are also calling for urgent action. The question remains: How can a balance be found between road safety, environmental protection and individual freedoms?

The developments in Försterweg are a small part of a much larger puzzle. If urban conditions like those in Stellingen are taken seriously, this could be a pioneer for similar initiatives in other parts of Germany. It remains to be seen whether the required speed measurements and a vigilant political agenda will make a noticeable difference.