The council of the western German town of Bohmte have decided to try dramatic measures to reduce the number of car accidents. Following the example of Drachten in the Netherlands, all traffic lights and stop signs will be removed from the downtown area.
Pedestrians will have the same standing as motorists on the town's roads, in a place which 13,500 cars pass through each day. The EU have backed the idea, first thought up by the Dutchman Hans Monderman. The project will cost €1.2m, half of which will be provided by the EU.
The idea has been dubbed 'Shared Space' and the Dutch have taken it as far as to remove all traffic lights, pavements and road markings in the northern town of Drachten, and have seen a reduction in the accident rate. Opinions in Germany seem divided as to whether it will prove effective.