In seven streets

Slow down! Graz extends 30 km/h zones

"Unveiling" the new 30 km/h zone in Mariengasse: Judith Schwentner and Head of Roads Thomas Fischer.(Bild: Foto Fischer)

The next brake for drivers in the Styrian capital: the city of Graz is extending the 30 km/h zone to seven additional streets. This is primarily to increase the safety of children, explains Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentern.

The StVO reform has been in place since the summer, making it easier for local authorities to reduce speed limits in their area of responsibility. The city of Graz has already taken advantage of this and introduced seven new 30 km/h zones in the city. Several streets in front of kindergartens have been identified for this following a review by the Roads Department.

A 30 km/h speed limit has been permanently imposed in Mariengasse (Keplerstraße to Kleiststraße), Anton Gerstl Straße number four, Gradnerstraße 186 to Kärntner Straße 421, Plabutscherstraße 73 to 85 and Statteggerstraße 56 to 68. In Petersgasse (numbers 74 to 82) and Moserhofgasse (15 to Petersgasse), the validity changes from "on school days" to "on working days". Next week, there will also be a hearing regarding a 30 km/h zone in front of the Nordberggasse kindergarten (Radegunder Straße).

"This is a huge step for safety. Especially in places where there are many children and elderly people, we can ensure even more safety and meet the desire for more traffic calming even faster," says Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner (Greens) with conviction. A 30 km/h speed limit is one of the most effective methods of reducing the number of accidents. 

However, Thomas Fischer, Head of the Roads Department, raises a warning finger: "It should be borne in mind that excessive application does not mean that the measure per se loses its value or that the well-functioning model of 30 km/h except for priority roads with restrictions in front of elementary school, which has proven its worth since 1992, is thwarted."