On a Sunday, the vehicle remains untidy - Each Sunday, the vehicle remains unwashed.
Let's talk about the good ol' Sunday car wash... or rather, the lack thereof in Rhineland-Palatinate! While our Hesse neighbors are giving their cars a scrub and a polish, citizens in Rhineland-Palatinate are left with muddy motors. Why's that? Well, it's all about that sweet Sunday rest!
Critics, however, call for a change in the current legal situation, which stretches across Neuwied, Bitburg, Mainz, and Pirmasens. They argue that these archaic laws are due for a facelift.
The filling station association sees this Sunday car wash ban as a relic from the past. After all, work is done at filling stations on Sundays, and many car washes operate autonomously. Plus, it's standard procedure in numerous European nations for people to freely choose their car wash day.
SMEs are Feeling the Burn
Medium-sized filling station operators, however, suffer significant losses due to these restrictions. The association warns that they could calculate with an annual profit loss of between 5,000 and 10,000 euros due to the ban.
There's also an environmental argument at play: Car washes are far more water-efficient and eco-friendly than at-home washes that burden local sewage systems or even the environment directly.
A Silent Treatment from the Minister President
The association has pleaded for a conversation with Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) on the matter, but both the letter and an invitation for a conversation have gone unanswered.
Where and When You Can and Can't Wash Your Car
The laws surrounding car washing are primarily concerned with location: Car washing is prohibited in gardens or on other unpaved surfaces, with fines in store according to the Water Resources Act. However, local municipalities make the final call when it comes to roadside washing.
Be Mindful of Chemicals in Water
Even if only clear water is used, the resulting wastewater contains chemical substances and compounds that can harm groundwater.
Recommendations from the BUND
The environmental association advises using approved self-service car washes and car washes for car washing. These facilities have systems to properly clean, separate, and dispose of pollutants.
The BUND suggests opting for shorter programs at the car wash, as it uses recycled water from an internal circuit and reduces overall water consumption compared to a home garden hose.
The Clarity from the Interior Ministry
The Rhineland-Palatinate Interior Ministry recently reaffirmed that operating car washes and car wash facilities on Sundays and public holidays is prohibited, citing the state law on protecting Sundays and public holidays.
Sunday for Friends, Family, and Relaxation
Car washing is perceived as having a commercial nature, with the intention to profit. Sunday is also viewed as a day of general rest, not only due to a decline in the social significance of churches, but also to promote relaxation, family time, and community engagement.
A Call for a Change in Thinking
Koblenz state parliamentarian Stephan Wefelscheid, from the Free Democrats, thinks the ban on car washing on Sunday is outdated. He argues that most car washes are situated away from residential areas and are designed for self-service, barely disturbing the peace. He also emphasizes that such limitations are a vestige of a time before secularization. Wefelscheid calls for a change in the state government's thinking and an evaluation of the ban, as does the petrol station interest group.
In summary, Rhineland-Palatinate's ban on car washing on Sundays is a holdover from traditional German Sunday rest regulations. These laws aim to preserve Sunday as a time for relaxation, family, and community, but the budget-conscious and eco-friendly among us may disagree. As of now, no clear plans to modify or lift the ban have been announced.
- Despite the car wash ban on Sundays in Rhineland-Palatinate, critics argue for a modernization of the current legal situation that applies across cities like Neuwied, Bitburg, Mainz, and Pirmasens.
- Medium-sized filling station operators in Rhineland-Palatinate suffer significant losses due to the Sunday car wash ban, potentially losing between 5,000 and 10,000 euros annually.
- Car washes are more water-efficient and eco-friendly than at-home washes, as they properly clean, separate, and dispose of pollutants, as recommended by environmental associations like the BUND.
- The Rhineland-Palatinate Interior Ministry states that operating car washes and car wash facilities on Sundays and public holidays is prohibited, citing the state law on protecting Sundays and public holidays.
- Stephan Wefelscheid, a Koblenz state parliamentarian from the Free Democrats, believes the ban on car washing on Sunday is outdated and calls for a change in the state government's thinking and an evaluation of the ban.
