New zebra crossing in Bilshausen: Finally safe for our children!

New zebra crossing in Bilshausen: Finally safe for our children!

In Bilshausen, a quiet community characterized by busy traffic, things are now lively again. On the main street, pedestrians, especially many elementary school students, have to be particularly careful when crossing. The new zebra crossing, which was built between July and August, can finally be used after weeks of closure. But what actually caused the crossing to be inaccessible for so long?

The answer to this is as simple as it is unavoidable: A missing light blocked traffic through the intersection on Hauptstrasse, Eichenweg and Bergstrasse. This lockdown was imposed just before the start of the new school year on August 12, posing a risk to many residents and parents. “The children are difficult to see behind the barriers,” said resident Klaus Spiegelberg, “and sometimes they just cross the street a few meters in front of them.” Many from the neighboring towns of Krebeck, Renshausen and Lake Constance make their way to Bilshausen primary school and are therefore particularly affected by traffic.

From blocking to releasing

The complained about visual obstructions not only made residents nervous. Mother Isabell Freitag put it well: “The zebra crossing shouldn’t be closed for so long.” Municipal director Steffen Ahrenhold explained that the road construction authority had imposed the closure to avoid legal risks and that the lighting had finally been installed. Pedestrian safety can now hopefully be guaranteed at this busy crossing.

But the question remains: Why did it take so long to install the lamp? The lack of knowledge about the reasons for the closure caused resentment and uncertainty among the affected families and residents. It's not just the lighting that comes into play here; The traffic rules that affect a zebra crossing are also of central importance.

Traffic rules at the zebra crossing

In general, according to the ADAC, pedestrians, wheelchair users and hospital elevator users have the absolute right to cross at zebra crossings. Drivers must not only be careful not to block the zebra crossing itself, but also that they approach at a moderate speed. If traffic is at a standstill, you are obliged to stop in front of the crossing. If traffic rules are ignored, you can face fines of up to 80 euros and points in Flensburg if pedestrians are prevented from crossing.

“Misunderstandings between road users are not uncommon here,” says the ADAC. Residents therefore see the new pedestrian crossing on the safety-relevant main street as a fundamental improvement. But those responsible still have a bit of work to do to ensure that using the zebra crossing becomes a habit - especially for school children.

One goal is for everyone involved to feel safe in traffic. This also includes clearly marking the zebra crossings and properly lighting them, as required by the regulations. According to the road traffic regulations information portal, it is important that pedestrian crossings are set up according to certain criteria in order to guarantee safety standards. Wherever there is a lot of pedestrian traffic, correct traffic control is crucial to minimize dangers.

What do you think about the importance of pedestrian crossings like this? Do they play a central role in your everyday life? It remains to be seen whether the newly approved zebra crossing will soon become a common crossing for all Bilshausen children.