Car Washing on Sundays: A Debatable Issue in Rhineland-Palatinate
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Automobile Remains Unclean on Weekend Day - Automobile Remains Uncleaned on Weekend Days
Washing your car on a free weekend? Not as easy as it seems in Rhineland-Palatinate. But in neighboring states like Hesse, car enthusiasts can scrub and polish to their heart's content. The陈 call to reform the car wash ban in Rhineland-Palatinate seems to fall on deaf ears with the Minister President.
The fuel station association views the ban on Sunday car washes as a relic of the past. After all, work continues at fuel stations on Sundays, and several car washes operate autonomously. Moreover, in many neighboring European countries, people have the freedom to choose their car wash day.
SMEs struggling with losses
Due to the ban in Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, the Saarland, and other federal states, medium-sized fuel station operators could face an annual profit loss of between 5,000 and 10,000 euros, the association warned.
There's also an environmental aspect: Car washes are more water-saving and ecological compared to home car washes, which burden local sewage systems or directly impact the environment.
No conversations with the Minister President
Despite the association's letter to Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President Alexander Schweitzer (SPD), there's been no response or invitation for a conversation, a spokesperson for the German Press Agency in Mainz said.
Location restrictions on car washing
When it comes to car washing, regulations are quite strict: Car washing is prohibited in the garden or on other unpaved surfaces, and fines apply under the Water Resources Act.
Chemicals in water waste
Even with clear water, the resulting wastewater contains chemical substances and compounds that can harm groundwater.
Communes decide the wash rules on paved surfaces, so citizens should check with their local authorities for regulations.
BUND recommends car washes
The environmental association therefore advises utilizing approved self-service car washes and car washes for car washing. There, pollutants are pre-cleaned, separated, and properly discharged.
Short programs are recommended for car washing, and the BUND advises choosing car washes over home garden hoses, as they reduce overall water consumption through recycled water.
Interior Ministry clarifies the legal situation
As per the latest update from Rhineland-Palatinate's Interior Ministry, operating car washes and car wash places on Sundays and public holidays remains prohibited, rooted in the state law on the protection of Sundays and public holidays.
The meaning of Sunday as a day of general rest is seen as crucial in this context. Unions emphasize the importance of Sunday as a time for relaxation, family, friends, and voluntary engagement, ensuring legal protection for the day.
A change in perspective is needed
State parliamentarian Stephan Wefelscheid (Free Democrats) believes the ban on car washing on Sundays is outdated. Most car washes are located away from residential areas and are self-service, making it hard to justify any disturbance to the outer peace.
As many people juggle multiple jobs and little free time, such restrictions seem outdated and more suitable for a time before secularization. Wefelscheid calls for a change in thinking from the state government and a reevaluation of the ban, as does the fuel station interest group.
- The fuel station association suggests that the ban on Sunday car washes in Rhineland-Palatinate, a tradition upheld by some European countries, should be reconsidered, especially considering the financial losses faced by SMEs and the environmental benefits of professional car washes over home car washes.
- Despite the argument for change in Rhineland-Palatinate, the association's plea for conversations with the Minister President regarding the ban on Sunday car washes remains unheard, sparking discussions about a shift in perspective on work-life balance, especially in the context of busy lifestyles and home-and-garden chores.
