Last year, Munich introduced a driving ban for diesel vehicles to improve air quality in the city. The ban applies to the entire city center, including the middle ring road. Many citizens welcome this measure, as it is intended to improve health and the environment.
Others, however, criticize the ban as disproportionate and complain about restrictions on mobility. One citizen reports that he now has to take longer routes to work because his car is no longer allowed on certain roads. Another laments that he now has to buy a new car because his diesel vehicle is banned.
However, some experts argue that the ban is an important step towards improving air quality and that it will lead to long-term health benefits for citizens. It is also intended to help combat climate change.
Overall, the diesel driving ban in Munich is a controversial topic with differing opinions and perspectives. While some welcome it, others criticize it as disproportionate and restrictive. It remains to be seen whether the ban's effects will prove effective over time.
An event against the driving ban, or rather an election campaign event?
On January 30th, an event against the diesel driving ban took place in Munich. It was initiated by mobile.com and a CSU member of parliament to raise awareness of the issue and to explain the next steps being taken. Well, what can I say? This was my first event of this kind, and I must say it was very disappointing. There was nothing new to learn; everything that was said had already been reported in the local press.
The question and answer session, however, proved somewhat more interesting, as participants could raise their hands to speak. An irate gentleman, a member of the opposition in the Bavarian State Parliament, immediately spoke up, criticizing the CSU's complete abstention on his party's urgent motion to halt the driving ban on January 27, 2023. The question was not definitively answered by the two CSU members present, leaving a somewhat unpleasant aftertaste to the event, not just for me.
Instrumentalized as an election campaign issue
Unfortunately, it must be said that there are state elections in Bavaria in 2023, and since the CSU wants to maintain its power in the state, the diesel driving ban is currently the number one topic in the greater Munich area. Naturally, they are exploiting this and instrumentalizing it as an election campaign issue. This was particularly noticeable because none of the CSU speakers and initiators could state the correct fines. The lawyer who had already successfully sued to overturn the general driving ban in Berlin had to prompt the party officials with the exact amount. Well, it's unfortunate when you expose yourself...
It's also clear that the ADAC (German Automobile Club) is keeping a low profile regarding this issue here in Munich. This fact was, of course, conveniently seized upon to promote their own mobile.org car club. Somehow, I now have a better idea of how the mask deals played out in Bavaria...
My conclusion for the entire evening was that too many questions remained unanswered, and one can only hope that the lawsuit filed on February 1, 2023, will be successful and that the proportionality of the measures will be examined. Because what many don't know is that the limit value cited in Munich is 40 micrograms of nitrogen oxides, while the EU directive, which also informed the city of Munich that they would have to pay fines if the limit is exceeded, sets the limit at 50 micrograms of nitrogen oxides. What really makes matters worse is the fact that this limit is only exceeded on three streets in Munich. Not always, and not regularly, but intermittently, because these three streets are known traffic bottlenecks in Munich, and traffic jams are a constant occurrence.
A little fun fact: The occupational health and safety regulations stipulate a limit of 970 micrograms for nitrogen oxide exposure in enclosed spaces. My common sense, upon hearing this, packed its bags and is now busy playing marbles...
For me, that means waiting now...
Firstly, I'm waiting for the requested exemption permit, otherwise I can no longer work as a DJ in Munich's city center. But getting the permit will take time, as the city of Munich has just created 19 new positions in the KVR (Department of Public Order) specifically for this purpose. Secondly, I need to convince my clients to either only book events at venues that already have lighting and sound equipment, or they need to hire a professional technical service provider who can set everything up and take it down in an environmentally friendly way, because a 7.5-ton diesel truck is still allowed to drive in the city center...
If someone comes along now and says, "Then just buy yourself a new car," all I can say is, "Well, then just give me one," or simply shut up. Because anyone demanding that hasn't noticed anything about Corona in the last three years, nor has they realized that artists and freelancers were among the hardest hit.
All I can do is sit and wait, and perhaps the court here in Munich will decide similarly and only impose the driving ban on the streets where the limit values are exceeded, because that would help me personally, and I think many other diesel drivers as well...
