Traffic signs with children playing are often misleading. Knowing the differences is essential to avoid fines.
Kassel – Although the traffic signs look fundamentally different, according to the traffic club ADAC, there is often confusion among road users. One sign is rectangular, blue and has white symbols. It depicts a car, a building, and two people playing ball, one tall and the other small. This indicates a "limited traffic zone". The other sign is round, red and white and shows the additional symbol of a child playing with a ball. In this case, it is a "play street". But what regulations do drivers have to observe in the respective areas?
The interpretation of traffic signs often leads to confusion – but ignorance does not protect against punishment. Failure to comply with the instructions can result in severe fines; this also applies to the "residents free" traffic sign.
Risk of confusion with traffic signs: ADAC warns and gives tips
"Unfortunately, we have no information about how many people confuse the signs, but we can also see that there is a lack of clarity in both signs," the ADAC told the news website inrlp.de. The traffic club draws attention to the danger of confusion. After all, "a play street and a traffic-calmed area are not the same thing". However, since the traffic-calmed area is more common in practice, it is often colloquially referred to as a play street.
Traffic sign indicates a "traffic-calmed area". © Martin Müller/imago
These rules apply in a restricted traffic area:
- In a traffic-calmed zone, pedestrians and vehicles are on an equal footing. Pedestrians, regardless of their age, do not have to walk along the side of the road, but can use the entire road surface. Vehicles may need to wait. Children are allowed to play in this area, but pedestrians should not obstruct traffic unnecessarily. You have to step aside if a vehicle wants to pass. It is not allowed to block the road with large objects, toys or the like.
- Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed to travel at walking speed in such areas and must pay special attention to pedestrians. On its website, the ADAC explains what the Road Traffic Act (StVO) means by walking speed. Drivers who violate the speed limit and endanger pedestrians can expect a heavy fine. If the speed limit is exceeded by up to 10 km/h, this can mean around 60 euros and one point in Flensburg. A driving ban comes into force when drivers are up to 30 km/h faster. In this case, they will not only have to pay a fine of around 210 euros, but will probably also have to surrender their driver's license for one month. Pedestrians also face a fine for violating the Highway Code.
- In this zone, it should be noted: the rule "right before left" applies here. This means that vehicles and bicycles must comply with the applicable right-of-way rules at intersections within the traffic-calmed area.
- In the area, parking is allowed only in specially marked zones. According to ADAC, exceptions apply exclusively to the loading and unloading of vehicles. Anyone who does not comply with this rule must expect a fine. Road users who park outside the marked areas must pay ten euros. In the event of a parking violation of more than three hours, the fine increases to 30 euros.
The red and white sign with the supplementary symbol marks a play street.
Traffic sign indicates a "play street". © Klaus Martin Hoefer/imago
The following rules apply in a play street:
- Vehicles are completely prohibited in the play street. All traffic is excluded here. Both motorized vehicles and cyclists are not allowed to drive or park in this area. The play street is intended exclusively for children and pedestrians playing.
The traffic sign with the "halved car" also regularly causes confusion in road traffic. This traffic sign, on the other hand, is relatively new: the sign is intended to signal a green wave.
This article, written by the editors, used machine support. The article was carefully reviewed by editor Johannes Nuß before publication.
