In the current oil crisis the German Environmental Aid (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, DUH) claims that car‑free Sundays could be envisioned, but the organization instead advocates for a nationwide speed limit.
Dorothee Saar, a traffic expert with DUH, told the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition) that a car‑free Sunday “would certainly provide rare moments of a wholly new encounter with the street space, whether it’s carefree strolling and cycling in the city or rollerblading on the highway”. She added that on such Sundays people would notice how dominant road traffic is in everyday life, creating noise and dirty air.
Saar argues that the appeal of a car‑free day remains mainly symbolic. “What is truly effective is a speed limit” she said. According to DUH, a ceiling of 100 km/h on highways and 80 km/h outside city limits could save up to 4.7 billion liters of petrol and diesel each year. This measure, she explains, would be short‑term, almost cost‑free, and would not require lengthy pre‑discussion about who may or may not drive on a Sunday.
