German town bans road signs to cut accidents

A German town has scrapped all traffic lights and road signs in a bid to make the streets safer. The radical experiment appears to be working as there has not been a single reported accident in the four weeks since the signs were ripped up.
Officials believe the move forces drivers to take extra care and show each other more consideration.



The town of Bohmte, near Hanover, received a £1.8m European Union grant to remove all its traffic lights and warning signs.

The 13,000 drivers who use the town each day now have only two road traffic rules to stick to - do not exceed the 30mph speed limit and always give way to the right, whether it is a car, bike or pedestrian.



The local council has hailed the experiment a success as not a single traffic accident was reported last month, compared to at least one serious crash every week before the change. Town mayor, Klaus Goedjohann, said: "Politeness pays - we have proved that."

The scheme, which is based on a Dutch traffic expert's idea of "shared space," will soon be implemented in Britain. London's Exhibition Road is set to become a "naked road" next year.