Street lighting; reporting of defective street lamps

As other parties are only obliged to provide lighting in specific cases, street lighting is generally provided by the local authorities. In this case, the local authority’s obligation applies to all public roads within the built-up area, including sections of federal roads passing through the town.

Lighting in the traffic environment should enable road users, particularly pedestrians, to recognise easily and in good time the layout and boundaries of roads, paths, squares and access points, as well as danger spots and obstacles.

However, it is not possible to establish a general rule regarding the extent and duration of street lighting. The scope of the obligation to provide lighting depends on local needs and other local circumstances, in particular the importance of the road in question for traffic, but also on the size of the local authority and its financial capacity. The location of the road in question within the local authority’s area also plays a role. Against this background, switching off street lighting for certain hours during the night may be considered in individual cases. Local authorities must then mark street lamps within built-up areas that are not left on all night with a red ring.

Local authorities would be grateful if you could report any faulty street lights.