Police propose 30 km/h speed limit at pedestrian crossings

Police have proposed that motorists are required to slow down to 30 km/h when approaching a pedestrian crossing not protected by a traffic light, reports Népszabadság. This is one of the changes police would make to Hungary's traffic regulations (KRESZ) even before a planned extensive modification of the regulations.

Drivers are held responsible in all cases when they run over a pedestrian at a crossing at a speed of over 35 km/h. Police would like this practice to be brought into line with the law by introducing the 30 km/h speed limit.

Colonel Endre Komáromi, National Police traffic department head, told the daily that "with a little help from the government," Hungary could meet its undertaking to reduce the number of lethal victims of road accidents by one-third by 2010 compared to 2001, and could even meet requirements for old EU member states. The EU required in 2001 that member states reduce accidents by half by 2010.

"Austrian drivers stop at pedestrian crossings in 70% of cases even if the pedestrian has not stepped on the road. Here, 80% do not stop even if the pedestrian has," Komáromi pointed out.

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