Dresden in crisis: Citizens paint zebra crossings in protest!

Dresden in crisis: Citizens paint zebra crossings in protest!

In the Neustadt of Dresden, a common but by no means everyday topic causes heated discussions and no less an almost insoluble dispute: the safety of pedestrians and especially school children. Seven years ago, the city council decided to increase the number of zebra crossings in the city, especially on Glacisstrasse. But since then it has remained quiet - no measures have been taken to implement it and the situation is more than worrying.

In a remarkable act of initiative, some residents quickly painted zebra crossings on the street themselves. This ensured that cars stopped so that students could cross the street safely. However, it didn't take long for the city to react: it quickly cordoned off the area with warning barges. City councilor Stefan Engel (SPD) assessed this reaction as an “administrative failure” and blew the matter into sharp relief - the city was stylized as a nationwide laughingstock.

Parents' worries

Parents' concerns are not unfounded. Stefan Kraft, chairman of the Dresden district parents' council, expressed concern about the safety of school children. They have to take long detours to cross the street safely - “But where do the children walk 300 meters to the left or right just to find a zebra crossing?” he asks, rightly so. There are several schools and daycare centers in the area, and the changed traffic volume after the Carola Bridge collapsed is doing the rest.

The existing traffic island is perceived by many as inadequate. There is a complete lack of a clear signal to drivers that pedestrians and cyclists have priority. Kraft calls for a zebra crossing or even a traffic light as a solution. “Although a traffic light system is a major investment, maintaining a zebra crossing is more cost-effective in the long term,” he argues.

No response from the city

Meanwhile, Miriam Lehmann from the parent representative of the Heinrich Schütz Conservatory also expressed criticism. For the over 5,000 children who attend the conservatory every week, road safety is a major issue. She also calls for a traffic light system for the crossing and complains about the lack of feedback from the city. “It cannot be the case that our children are sent into insecurity,” she makes clear.

Creating safe paths for pedestrians is not just a question of infrastructure, but also an important social task that should focus on protecting our vulnerable road users such as children, older people or people with limited mobility. According to a study, many pedestrian accidents are recorded at places where they cross roads. A zebra crossing could be a simple but effective solution here.

The story about the zebra crossings on Glacisstrasse is an example of how important it is that the city keeps its promises and takes safety for all road users seriously. Because at the end of the day, good traffic flow must also provide space for pedestrians and their safety.

Let's hope that this farce comes to an end soon and that the city comes to a solution that benefits both pedestrians and residents. Because one thing is clear: pedestrian traffic is a fundamental pillar of urban mobility, and there is currently a huge problem here.

After a conversation with those responsible at the German Road Safety Council, it becomes clear that measures to ensure safety in pedestrian traffic should rely on both procedures and infrastructure. If Dresden follows suit here, the situation on Glacisstrasse could perhaps soon change for the better.

You can find out more about current developments on the subject of pedestrian safety on the website of Dresden Latest News, MDR and DVR read up.