Hidden object in the residential area: Drivers are allowed to do this in the “traffic-calmed area”
Created: 05/13/2022, 11:38 am
By: Marcus Efler
Often referred to incorrectly as a "play street", a "traffic-calmed area" begins behind the blue sign.
Motorists have special obligations – but they are allowed to do things that are otherwise forbidden.
Munich - Big, blue, with house and child and ball on it: The history of this traffic sign is full of misunderstandings.
This has been the case since the first model projects in the late 1970s, and even more so since it was included in the Road Traffic Act (StVO) in 1980. Many drivers think “playing street” when they see this hidden object picture – and brake to 30 km/h.
And have already made two mistakes.
The first: Sign 325.1 does not indicate a play street (only residents may enter such a street, if at all), but a “traffic-calmed area”.
It's open to cars like a "bicycle street", but whoever - mistake number two - speeds through there at the said 30 km/h risks a point in Flensburg according to the current catalog of fines.
Hidden object in the residential area: Drivers are allowed to do this in the “traffic-calmed area”
Because walking speed matters.
Which doesn't make things any easier either, since this term is not precisely defined.
Radar measuring devices usually register from 10 km/h, but in court when clarifying who is at fault after a crash, 7 or 15 km/h are sometimes used.
With a speedometer reading of 10 you are probably on the safe side – if you do everything else correctly, drive carefully and avoid an accident with a cyclist in the first place.
However, some cyclists are a bit too fast on the road.
Because the walking pace also applies to them (and e-scooters).
The widespread assumption that cyclists and pedestrians have priority over cars is also wrong: all road users have equal rights.
Right before left usually applies at intersections.
Hidden object in the residential area: Consideration instead of rigid laws
After all, cyclists, pedestrians and playing children are allowed to use the entire lane - but not obstruct other traffic.
Another rubber rule.
In any case, honking away from cycling pensioners is not really recommended.
Overall, the concept of the "traffic-calmed area" is based more on mutual consideration (as with narrow lanes) than on rigid legal texts, an "increased duty of care" applies to everyone.
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The “traffic-calmed area” starts behind this sign.
(Iconic image) © Jan Woitas/dpa
Hidden object in the residential area: Parking is allowed against the direction of travel
Drivers should also pay attention to this when parking.
Because simply parking the car at the nearest lamppost (which might have that weird ring on it) could result in a ticket.
Parking is basically forbidden, even if there are no corresponding blue-red signs to indicate this.
It is only allowed on specially marked areas - and then, unlike on normal streets, also against the direction of travel.
Drivers not only have more obligations behind the hidden object, but are even allowed to do more in this case.
However, that's over after you start driving.
When exiting the "traffic-calmed area" onto a normal road, the same rules apply as when exiting from private property: everyone else has the right of way.
