Steglitz school pushes back against parent-taxi traffic

A primary school in Berlin's Steglitz-Zehlendorf district held a lively protest on 17 October 2026 against so-called Elterntaxis — the practice of parents dropping children directly at the school gate by car. According to the Tagesspiegel, pupils danced in front of the entrance to demand a car-free zone, while parents and teachers called for permanent measures. The district has been debating whether to install retractable bollards or a barrier at the school's access road to stop private vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times. Supporters of the plan say the dense car traffic in the narrow side street is dangerous for children walking or cycling to school, and that fumes and horn noise disturb lessons. Critics worry about where parents who insist on driving will stop. Similar schemes already exist in several Berlin districts, and the city has promised to expand so-called 'Schulstraßen' step by step. A decision on bollards for this particular school is now expected from the district council in the coming weeks.