Important parking rule now applies: Why the energy crisis is affecting traffic
Created: 09/12/2022, 16:50
By: Constantin Hoppe
Electricity is to be saved in Germany - this also leads to darker inner cities.
Drivers must now observe an important rule when parking.
Kassel – No light on public buildings, in parking lots and in front of shops: the street lamps will often burn less frequently in the coming months due to the energy crisis.
The German inner cities will offer an unusual sight in the dark season.
And that also has consequences for drivers.
The darker roads that motorists will expect in the autumn and winter months offer more sources of danger for accidents: Because in the dark, seeing and being seen requires significantly more effort.
Night-time lighting is to be reduced in many places in autumn and winter to save energy.
Important parking rules should therefore be observed.
© Imago
See and be seen: Drivers should observe this rule when parking
This is where a parking rule comes into play that many drivers will soon have forgotten after their driver's license exams: If you park your car in a city center on a street that is poorly lit or not lit at all, you have to turn on the parking lights.
If you don't do this, you may be partially to blame in the event of an accident.
If a vehicle is parked in an out-of-town area, of course, sufficient lighting must also be ensured there.
However, the parking lights must generally be switched on there.
According to Section 17 of the Road Traffic Act, this is necessary as soon as a vehicle stops and there is no street lighting.
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Darker streets in autumn and winter: be careful when parking cars
Of course, these parking rules apply in general - but they are becoming more important than ever, especially in view of the savings measures during the current energy crisis.
And this rule should also be observed on normally illuminated streets: Because not every street lamp burns all night, some are switched off later in the night.
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This can be recognized by the respective lampposts: if you discover a red ring with white borders at the top and bottom, this is the so-called "lantern ring" - the traffic sign 394. The lantern ring indicates lanterns within built-up areas that are not switched on all night are.
Sometimes the time at which the respective lantern is switched off can also be found within the red marking.
In parking lots, the one special priority rule should also be observed.
The difference between side and parking lights
When the ignition key is removed, the
parking light setting
allows one headlight and one rear light to light up on one side on the left or right of the vehicle with reduced power, as required.
The car must be illuminated on the side facing the road.
On most vehicles, the parking lights can be switched on by pushing the turn signal lever to the left or right.
How this works in each individual case is explained in the car's operating instructions.
If, on the other hand, you park your vehicle outside of town, the
parking lights
must be switched on.
The difference lies in the fact that both headlights and rear lights remain on when the parking lights are on, so that the vehicle is easier to see in the dark.
To turn on the parking lights, turn the arrow on the turn signal to the corresponding symbol: two lights with dashes to the right and left.
A green sign lights up.
Parking rule for cars: Some vehicles are not allowed to park on the street at night without lights
The prescribed lighting on the vehicles is intended to ensure that they are recognized early, even in the dark, and that accidents can thus be prevented.
However, this does not apply to every vehicle, as paragraph 17 of the Road Traffic Act (StVO) explains: Vehicles standing on the road, with a permissible total mass of more than 3.5 tons and trailers must always be illuminated with their own light source within built-up areas or to be identified by other approved lighting.
Vehicles that can be removed from the roadway without difficulty may not be left unlit in the dark.
This applies, for example, to motorcycles, bicycles with an auxiliary motor, single-axle tractors or single-axle trailers.
offense | fine |
|---|---|
Only drive with the side lights on at dusk, in the dark or in poor visibility | 10 Euro |
- thereby causing a hazard | 15 euro |
- causing property damage | 35 euros |
Penalty threatens: Prohibited use of the car parking lights
It should also be noted that parking and side lights naturally drain the battery.
With new and fully charged batteries, operating the lighting over a night is not a problem, but longer periods of standstill or older batteries can mean that they no longer have the charge required to start the vehicle, as the ADAC explains.
You should also keep in mind that you are not allowed to drive your vehicle with only the side lights on.
A general speed limit of 30 km/h in city centers is currently being discussed.
Future drivers will also have to adjust to driver's license changes.
(Constantin Hoppe)
