Zarrenthin fights for safety: petition for traffic calming started!

Zarrenthin fights for safety: petition for traffic calming started!

In Zarrenthin, a charming little village in northern Germany, the call for more safety and traffic calming is growing. Many residents have joined together in a petition to make their concerns heard. Mayor Grit Gawrich received the petition, which is supported by numerous villagers and is now published on the Change.org platform. Nordkurier reports that Zarrenthin has a special status in terms of its traffic routes and is divided into four different areas: the historic center, the old courtyards, the new homes and the area around Lindenweg.

A planned holiday home park nearby is expected to attract even more visitors to the already lively village. However, the traffic situation is anything but ideal. Residents notice a high traffic frequency, particularly on the VG101 district road, which leads from the B110 to Loitz. This is not only a problem for residents, but also for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Dangerous road conditions

The current condition of the roads is a cause for concern as more than 50% of vehicles on the VG101 regularly drive over the maximum speed limit of 50 km/h. Some even reach speeds of over 100 km/h. The petition urgently states that the lack of sidewalks and inadequate street lighting make the path to the center of the village and the playground dangerous for children. “We want our children to be able to play safely,” said one affected resident.

In addition, the road conditions on the county road are not the best. There are numerous puddles and the road is in poor condition. The sidewalk and cycle path on Lindenweg is also dilapidated and not safe enough for children. The urgent need for a better traffic situation is also clearly formulated in the petition: a traffic-calmed zone, a 30 km/h speed limit and suitable sidewalks are called for - measures that the local council is already considering.

A view of the street “Am Birkenfeld”

In addition to the challenges in Zarrenthin, the situation is similarly tense on “Am Birkenfeld,” a busy residential street. More than twelve children grow up here and play outside and ride their bikes or scooters. Unfortunately, there is no sidewalk here either, so pedestrians have to walk on the road, which poses a serious safety risk. Residents are therefore calling for traffic calming to ensure safety for children and pedestrians.

The demands from this petition include, among other things, the introduction of a 30 km/h zone, speed bumps and the official designation as a traffic-calmed area, which would be accompanied by clear regulations for adjusting the speed. According to a WHO study, just a 5% reduction in average speeds can reduce fatal accidents by up to 30%. [Change.org](https://www.change.org/p/verkehrsbe Ruheung-f%C3%BCr-mehr-sicherheit-auf-der-stra%C3%9Fe-am-birkenfeld) documents these helpful suggestions and highlights the urgent need for immediate action.

The mayor plans to pass on citizens' concerns to the district, as it is responsible for security measures. Zarrenthin has seen an influx of young families in recent years thanks to new development plans. Now it is time to ensure security for the growing community in the village.