A group of state parliamentarians from Saxony-Anhalt are calling for longer green phases for pedestrians at traffic lights, in an effort to increase safety for older and physically restricted individuals in the street. According to a report by the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, the SPD politician Rüdiger Erben has proposed that traffic authorities consider a slower walking speed of one meter per second for pedestrians in their calculations, as opposed to the current 1.2 meters per second.
Erben’s request was sparked by a personal experience in Weißenfels, where he witnessed a busy intersection with a short green phase that posed a challenge for older residents. “The crossing is heavily frequented and because of the short green phase, there is always a sense of anxiety” Erben stated. “That’s why I’m demanding a one-meter-per-second pace, so that even those with mobility restrictions can manage.”
The opposition Greens in the state parliament have expressed support for Erben’s proposal. “I can only agree with the demand of my colleague Erben” said Cornelia Lüddemann, the party’s parliamentary group leader, in an interview with the MZ. Lüddemann, who has previously criticized short green phases for pedestrians in her hometown of Dessau-Roßlau, emphasized that the issue affects not only older people, but also children, people with disabilities and parents with strollers. “It’s not just about older people” she said, “but also about preventing accidents and taking measures before a disaster occurs.