Suche
Mein Konto
Leipzig's traffic jam hell: Why traffic never flows at this intersection!
The southern suburb in Leipzig is experiencing changes due to traffic safety measures at the intersection of Karl-Liebknecht-/Kurt-Eisner-Straße. Traffic jams and accidents are to be reduced through new traffic lights and adapted cycle paths.
Leipzig's traffic jam hell: Why traffic never flows at this intersection!
The intersection of Karl-Liebknecht-/Kurt-Eisner-Strasse in Leipzig has been a nuisance for road users for months. Traffic jams and long waiting times characterize everyday life, especially during rush hours. Loud Day24 Drivers have to wait up to 350 meters from the intersection during rush hour. This ongoing problem not only impacts patients, but also poses a challenge to local road safety.
The city administration has already taken measures to improve the situation. The aim is to increase safety at the intersection and at the same time promote local public transport and cycling. In the period from January 2022 to December 2024, 283 accidents were registered here, with 116 people injured. The main cause of these accidents was driver misconduct, which led to the collisions in 24 percent of cases. Failure to maintain a safe distance and errors when changing lanes also contributed to the high accident rate.
Traffic management and safety
To improve traffic flow, various changes were made to the intersection. Left-turn lanes were removed to make room for bike lanes. In addition, the traffic light circuit has been adjusted so that drivers and trams now use separate traffic lights. Despite these measures, the intersection remains an accident hotspot and the city has already made improvements following the introduction of the new controls. However, further improvements are no longer possible due to the existing infrastructure.
The importance of safe traffic management is also clear in the comprehensive study on traffic safety at public transport stops, which was carried out by the UDV was carried out. In 2018, there were over 4,130 accidents at stops in Germany, 46 of whom died. The study shows that accidents at stops are often underrepresented and that the risk of accidents at stops is higher than on the “open route”.
Recommendations for better security
The study makes several recommendations to improve safety at bus stops. This includes the introduction of crossing aids that should not be further than 20 meters from the stopping position. It is also recommended that bicycle traffic facilities be kept outside the track area to avoid accidents. Conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians are particularly evident at Cape stops, which illustrates the need for action in the planning and design of such facilities.
Solving the traffic problems at the intersection in the longer term will be challenging, but the city administration and traffic experts must be committed to improving both traffic safety and citizen satisfaction. The measures in Leipzig are currently a step in the right direction, but the patience of road users is being tested.