Bonn traffic situation Pedestrian danger at Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz
Bonn · Motorists and bicyclists disregard the red traffic light at the Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz pedestrian crossings. Dangerous situations arise again and again, especially when turning onto Belderberg.
Bonn police counted 17,038 traffic accidents last year - almost 500 more than in 2015. Dangerous situations arise repeatedly at Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz, especially when turning onto Belderberg road. The right turn lane diagonally opposite, from Berliner Freiheit to Sandkaule has not raised any concerns thus far but some pedestrians see a danger from drivers who run the red lights at the street crossing.
Police report 19 violations in two days
Responding to an initial inquiry, police spokesperson Ruth Braun said “That area is not known to us as one of specific concern.” The city press office responded similarly. Following the GA inquiry, police monitored exactly that area at the stoplights. “Over two days, we carried out controls at different times of day,” said Braun. “The police recorded eleven red light violations from motorists and eight from cyclists.” They will continue to monitor the area.
Right next to the stoplight, a “Motel One” is being constructed and there is a covered walkway around the building site, which is partly open to the road. Pedestrians have to wait in this tunnel to cross at the light. “Pedestrians can be seen from the road at any time - both when they are waiting at the light and when they are going through the tunnel,” said Stefanie Zießnitz of the city press office.
The problem lies with road users themselves
GA looked at the situation and came to the conclusion that drivers cannot see pedestrians who are waiting in the tunnel “at any time”, but instead when they are about 10 to 15 meters away from the traffic lights. It’s the same for pedestrians looking for approaching vehicles.
Zießnitz says the problem is the road users themselves. “When a driver approaches a pedestrian crossing, he or she must do so in a way that is fitting to the traffic situation.” Police controls at the beginning of August resulted in fines for those who ignored the red light, costing violators 60 to 200 euros - plus administrative fees.
38 accidents in 2016
In 2016, Bonn police recorded 38 accidents involving a person running a red light. Police recommend that witnesses remember the license plate number and try to get a description of the driver if possible. One can make a complaint at the police station or online but witnesses do not need to dial the emergency number 110. (Orig. text: Alexander Grantl)
