Host Nation Update, Aug 6, 2024
Speeding Crackdown in Baden-Württemberg: Enhanced Speed Checks This Week
5 August 2024, SWR Aktuell
Baden-Württemberg is intensifying speed checks this week as part of a European-wide enforcement campaign. The aim is to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding. Drivers in the region should expect increased speed monitoring throughout the week, as local police participate in a continent-wide traffic control initiative running until Sunday.
According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of the Interior, both mobile and stationary speed checks will be carried out across the state to enforce speed limits more rigorously. Specific locations for the enhanced controls have not been disclosed; instead, individual police departments will determine the focus areas for the checks.
The spokesperson emphasized that this enforcement week is a crucial measure in addressing the leading cause of fatal traffic accidents. Last year, speeding was responsible for 152 deaths. The goal is to increase awareness about the dangers of excessive speed and to sustainably lower speed levels to prevent serious accidents.
This initiative is part of a coordinated effort by a European traffic police network. Several German states are participating, with the exception of Bavaria, Bremen, and Saarland, according to ADAC.
Previous Enforcement in April: Over 400,000 Vehicles Checked
In April, a similar Europe-wide speed enforcement week took place. On the main day of the campaign, Baden-Württemberg’s traffic controllers issued speeding tickets to 13,659 vehicles—430 more than the previous year. Over 400,000 vehicles were monitored during this period, with 113 drivers receiving driving bans and being required to temporarily park their vehicles.
Struggle for Legroom: Recaro’s Success in Aircraft Seating
5 August 2024, SWR Aktuell
As travelers settle into their vacation flights, they might find themselves seated in a Recaro seat from Schwäbisch Hall. The company is making strides in the competitive world of aircraft seating, particularly in the quest for extra legroom.
Global Leader in Aircraft Seats
At the heart of the seating industry, Recaro, based in Schwäbisch Hall, has a significant presence, with approximately one million of their seats currently in service worldwide. This represents about one-third of the global fleet of around three million aircraft seats, making Recaro a leading supplier for economy class seating.
Innovations in Legroom
Standard seat pitch in aircraft cabins is 28 inches, or precisely 71.12 centimeters. However, Recaro’s latest models offer a few additional centimeters of legroom through clever design and slimmer seats, according to Mark Hiller, CEO of Recaro. The focus has shifted from merely fitting more seats into limited space to offering passengers a bit more comfort.
Addressing Space Constraints
Recaro has also tackled the issue of space loss due to magazines and in-flight materials encroaching on legroom. Their new seat design includes compartments behind the tray tables to store these items, optimizing passenger space.
Investment in Safety
One of Recaro’s key challenges is to make seats lighter, more comfortable, and safer. The company invests millions in development and operates its own crash test facility. Simulations include scenarios like hard landings or emergency stops, testing seats against forces of up to 16 G. Each seat undergoes rigorous testing to meet safety standards, with costs reaching up to 100,000 euros for a single business-class seat.
Resilience and Growth
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Recaro has seen significant growth, with annual production reaching around 150,000 seats. For the last fiscal year, the company reported revenues of 524 million euros, a considerable increase from pandemic levels. CEO Mark Hiller anticipates that Recaro, with its 2,600 employees, will return to pre-pandemic revenue levels within the next year or two. He notes a trend where “airplanes are filling from the front,” meaning higher-class tickets are in greater demand before those in economy class.
Outlook on Ticket Prices
The fluctuating airline industry closely affects seat production. Ticket prices, which have risen recently, are expected to stabilize as more aircraft and seats become available, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. Hiller predicts that as competition among airlines intensifies, ticket prices will eventually normalize, ending the current upward spiral.
Rising Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in Baden-Württemberg
August 5, 2024, SWR Aktuell
The number of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Baden-Württemberg has seen a notable increase this year. As of the end of July, the state’s Ministry of Social Affairs has reported 222 cases, up from 248 cases in 2022 and 350 cases for the entire year of 2023.
Legionnaires’ disease, caused by the bacteria Legionella, can lead to severe pneumonia and flu-like symptoms. The bacteria are often spread through aerosolized water, such as from showers, whirlpools, humidifiers, or faucets.
Increased Risk Factors
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), several factors may contribute to the rising number of cases. Improved detection methods, an aging population, and climate changes are potential causes. The combination of high temperatures and increased rainfall appears to lead to more Legionella outbreaks, also known as Legionnaires’ disease.
Cases tend to increase in summer and fall, possibly due to higher travel rates and associated infection risks, such as swimming in whirlpools. Additionally, stagnant water in pipes during periods of absence and higher temperatures that promote bacterial growth are contributing factors.
Preventive Measures
To mitigate the risk of Legionella exposure, the Ministry of Social Affairs advises running water in vacant homes and infrequently used showers and sinks occasionally. Ideal conditions for Legionella growth are between 25 and 45 degrees Celsius. Water temperatures above 55 degrees Celsius inhibit bacterial growth, and temperatures over 60 degrees Celsius kill the bacteria.
Waterworks are responsible for ensuring the quality of drinking water up to the building’s pipes. Property owners of larger buildings are required to have drinking water tested at least every three years. If Legionella levels exceed a certain threshold, local health authorities must be informed and will assist in resolving the issue.
Fatalities and Recent Outbreaks
The number of Legionnaires’ disease-related deaths has also risen. By the end of July, ten fatalities were reported, compared to 13 for the entire previous year, and 26 in 2022. Individuals with weakened immune systems, chronic illnesses, or who are elderly or smokers are at higher risk. The disease is fatal in approximately 5 to 10 percent of cases.
The most recent significant outbreak in Baden-Württemberg occurred in Stuttgart from August to November 2023, affecting 39 people, 35 of whom were hospitalized. The outbreak was traced to an evaporative cooling system, which was subsequently shut down.
Global Context
Legionnaires’ disease has also caused major outbreaks globally. In late summer 2023, at least 19 people died in Rzeszów, Poland, due to a large Legionella outbreak.
The disease was first identified in 1976 during a veterans’ convention in the U.S., where an unusual pneumonia affected several participants.
For Further Information
The Ministry of Social Affairs continues to monitor the situation and urges the public to follow recommended preventive measures to protect against Legionnaires’ disease.