The CSU wants to lead the opponents of a speed limit on German motorways. The party launched a new campaign.
Munich / Berlin - The CSU has launched an internet campaign against the introduction of a speed limit - thereby provoking criticism and ridicule from the coalition partner SPD and the opposition. SPD Vice Group leader Sören Bartol accused the CSU of "loss of reality" on Sunday.
There is now "a social majority for a speed limit," Bartol told AFP . "The CSU should also face this reality." According to the CSU, the campaign hopes to mobilize it against the " ban craze ".
Speed limit: CSU collects signatures, Blume sees anger over “ban delusion”
With their violation, the Christian Socialists want to be at the top of the opponents of a speed limit on German motorways . On a website, supporters can use the motto "Speed limit? No thanks!" register. According to the CSU, 10,000 supporters had registered within two days of activating the site, as the picture reported on Sunday .
"The constant ban ban stinks more and more citizens," said CSU general secretary Markus Blume . "Many citizens want to set an example and fight back."
CSU starts action against speed limit - Greens mock violently
The opposition mocked the campaign. "With its permanent blockade of a speed limit, the CSU makes Germany a laughing stock in the world," said Greens parliamentary group member Oliver Krischer of the AFP news agency . "If even the ADAC is no longer against a speed limit, it shows how far the CSU is sidelined."
Krischer accused the CSU of "having finally given up the center of society in climate and transport policy and orienting itself towards an ever smaller marginalized group".
Speed limit: Leftists find CSU action misleading - data analysis suggested positive effects
The left traffic expert Thomas Lutze criticized the Internet action as misleading. The CSU conceals the positive effects of a speed limit: "In addition to the positive effects on the environmental impact of exhaust gases and noise, a restriction to 130 kilometers per hour also makes driving less stressful," said the MP to AFP. "This is a benefit for drivers."
Are you also against a general #tempo limit on German motorways? Then support our campaign, because together we can achieve more! Register at: https://t.co/2toEwqa7M9 and make your contribution against a general speed limit. pic.twitter.com/D093uNijOe
- CSU (@CSU) January 29, 2020The news magazine Der Spiegel had already carried out a data analysis of the possible effects of a speed limit on motorways for a year. This showed that even more accidents occur on sections with a speed limit than on those without. However, the data experts attributed this to the fact that limits are enforced, especially in areas that are already dangerous.
According to the survey, however, the accident severity is lower in motorway sections with a speed limit. It was said that people in areas with a speed limit were killed or suffered serious injuries much less frequently. Based on the statistical data, it can be assumed that a general speed limit could prevent up to 140 deaths per year.
Speed limit on highways: AfD welcomes CSU's thrust, but criticizes "window dressing policy"
The AfD meanwhile welcomed the thrust of the CSU campaign. The AfD is also "against further tightening of the drivers," said the transport policy spokesman for the parliamentary group, Dirk Spaniel , to AFP . Spaniel criticized, however, that the CSU was not opposed to the comprehensive introduction of 30 km / h in cities: "Therefore, the initiative of the CSU must be seen as a mere shop window policy." Spaniel had recently received a lot of ridicule for a Bundestag speech on the subject of cycling.
The CSU received approval from the sister party CDU . "Wherever there is a risk of accidents or when it comes to noise protection, we already have a strong limit on the maximum speed," said State Secretary for Economic Affairs Thomas Bareiß the Handelsblatt. Therefore a speed limit "makes no sense". In any case, the Greens are only concerned with "fighting individual mobility and the car," he criticized.
Speed limit in Germany? ADAC is now "neutral"
With Andreas Scheuer, the CSU provides the Federal Minister of Transport - most recently, however, Scheuer appeared to be in its own ranks. According to the Greens, the SPD, which is co-ruling in the federal government, is now also advocating a speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour on motorways and cites climate protection as one of the reasons.
The debate about the speed limit was recently fueled by an announcement by ADAC not to make any recommendations in the dispute. The largest automobile club in Germany justified its neutrality with an "unclear" opinion of its members.
Green boss Annalena Baerbock had recently surprised with a statement on the subject of SUVs.
AFP / fn / mke
