Three German cities introduced legislation against the most-polluting cars yesterday, barring them from downtown districts marked as environmental zones. Berlin, Cologne and Hannover require drivers to fix special stickers to their cars showing that they fulfill new exhaust emission standards.

Vehicles like old diesel-engined cars that exceed the limit will be banned. The ban applies seven days a week. Drivers who ignore the ban will be giving an initial warning and if they ignore it will be fined. The city of Berlin said it would introduce fines of up to €40 (£29) starting in February while Cologne wants to start handing out tickets only in April.

Several other German cities have said they want to introduce similar bans later in the year. The cities hope that the new initiative will reduce air pollution.

(Associated Press / The Independent, 02/01/2008)