In view of the increase in the volume of traffic and kilometers driven, traffic-related hazards to human health and the environment are expected to remain at excessively high levels, unless further measures are taken in traffic and environmental policy. This holds true for both the Federal Republic of Germany and the whole of Europe. Signs of global dangers of an alarming magnitude have become apparent, necessitating a further-reaching, drastic reduction in pollution levels. Except questions of traffic safety, the most important factors making rapid action imperative are considered to include: (1) damage to forests (2) climatic changes, greenhouse effect; (3) air pollution and noise levels; and (4) loss or dissection of biotopes. increase in traffic and the additional damage and hazards that will be the result make it necessary, in light of the legal obligations of hazard prevention and precautionary environmental protection, to set definite priorities in environment protection and traffic policy.
Abstract