Accident involving children on the Bahnhofstrasse

The municipality of Steinhausen is discussing plans to introduce a 30 km/h zone in the town centre. A motion had already called for this in 2017 – and was rejected.
 

After two children were hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing on the Bahnhofstrasse in Steinhausen last week and sustained serious injuries, a concerned resident contacted the Zuger Zeitung newspaper. He recalled a 2017 motion that called for a 30 km/h speed limit on the Bahnhofstrasse between the Zentrum roundabout and the Chäsi roundabout, as well as on the Kirchmattstrasse.

The motion's author argued, among other things, that it would reduce noise, lower the risk of accidents, reduce CO₂ emissions, and enhance the town centre. "But the municipal council rejected the motion, stating that there was no safety issue. The road sections have pavements on both sides, five pedestrian crossings allow for safe crossing, and police statistics show no increased accident rate," writes the resident.

Municipality plans changes in the village centre
The municipality of Steinhausen declined to comment on this decision when asked. However, it stated that it is addressing the future design and traffic situation in the centre as part of the "planned village centre revitalisation." "A speed reduction in the central area is also being considered." But no specific measures have been determined at this time.

The accident in which two children were injured occurred last week at this pedestrian crossing in Steinhausen.
The town centre of Steinhausen is densely populated. Numerous children cross the Bahnhofstrasse on their way to school.
Children can spontaneously jump into the street from residential streets like this one. The Zug Police are therefore calling for increased vigilance.     Photos: Jakob Ineichen
 

The municipal traffic management plan (kommunale Verkehrsrichtplan) forms one of the basis for further work. “This legal mandate will be integrated into the feasibility study for the town centre revitalisation,” the municipality stated. The necessary funding for the study was approved by the residents at this year’s summer town meeting (Gemeindeversammlung). The project will begin in the autumn. “The study will focus particularly on the public spaces of the Dorfplatz (village square) and the Weiermattplatz, as well as the streetscapes of the Bahnhofstrasse and the Zugerstrasse from the roundabout to the church.” A key aspect of the study is traffic safety in the town centre.

Investigations are ongoing
Meanwhile, the investigation into the traffic accident on the Bahnhofstrasse in Steinhausen on 20th August is underway, as the Zug Police confirmed upon request. “We therefore cannot provide any further information at this time regarding the exact circumstances and the cause of the accident.”

Regardless of the current speed limit, the Zug Police are appealing to all road users to be especially attentive and pro-active, particularly in the vicinity of schools and on school routes. “Drivers must always adjust their speed to the road, traffic, and visibility conditions and be prepared for children at all times,” the police wrote.

The safety of children on their way to school is a top priority for the Zug police. "Findings from accident investigations are continuously incorporated into our prevention planning, as well as into the assessment and elimination of accident hotspots."