Road safety in danger: 65 signs stolen in the Märkischer Kreis

Road safety in danger: 65 signs stolen in the Märkischer Kreis

The effects of the desire to sign on traffic safety in the Märkisches Kreis

In the Märkisches Kreis there is an alarming trend: at least 65 traffic signs were stolen between 2022 and the first half of 2024. This theft is not only an annoying affair, but also has serious consequences for the safety of road users in the region. Especially the entrance signs that show the beginning of a closed town play a special role in this context.

uncertainty among road users

signs such as "Passing through" or having berths of stops have an impact on the behavior of drivers and pedestrians. The loss of these signs leads to an increase in risk of accidents, since important information about traffic management is missing. In particular, the entrance signs are crucial to signal tempo images that apply in closed towns. Your absence not only unsettles the drivers, but can also increase the risk of speeding speeds.

creative theft and local trends

Especially in Schalksmühle, where 13 traffic signs were stolen during a handball tournament, a pattern is shown. Thieves also turned out to be creative when the position of cardboard mesh police officers in Iserlohn were stolen, which served to draw attention to changed traffic tours. This bizarre form of theft indicates that the need for traffic information is sometimes not taken seriously.

The role of the police in the Märkisches Kreis

The police have recognized the problem of sign theft and warns of the dangers of this behavior. It is not a cavalier offense. Theft not only has legal consequences, but also represents an immediate danger to traffic safety. The police appealed to the population to take these acts seriously and to show mindfulness in their own community.

Statistics of the sign thefts

  • 2022: 34 signs were stolen, including six entrance signs.
  • 2023: 26 signs were stolen, including two entrance signs.
  • 2024 (1st half of the year): Five signs were stolen, but no entrance sign.

The number of unreported cases remains high

A challenge for the security forces is the high number of unreported cases that is not recorded in the official statistics. The fact that signs are often not listed separately makes measures to combat the problem. It is necessary to inform the communities about the importance of these signs and to raise the awareness of the population in order to stop the thefts.

In summary, it can be said that the theft of traffic signs in the Märkisches Kreis not only represents economic damage, but also becomes a serious danger to the public. Responsibility lies with every single to promote the importance of signs and to help the police to protect these important elements of traffic safety.